FBR seeks govt approval to retain 1,730 posts, citing critical staffing needs and transformation plans to modernize operations and boost efficiency.
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has formally requested the government to allow retention of 1,730 vacant positions, seeking exemption from a federal cabinet directive to abolish 60% of unfilled posts. This move signals FBR’s intent to preserve its current structure amidst its ongoing digital transformation.
The matter was discussed during a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Rightsizing, chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb. However, no immediate decision was made, and the issue was referred to a sub-committee headed by Salman Ahmad for further review. The cabinet had previously directed the abolition of 60% of all vacant posts across federal departments, aiming to reduce inefficiencies. Within FBR, out of 23,822 sanctioned positions, 2,883 remain vacant. Of these, 1,730 posts are set to be abolished under the directive, despite FBR’s argument that many of these roles are critical to its functioning.
The FBR justified its exemption request, citing operational challenges and its transformation plan aimed at modernising operations and improving efficiency. The plan includes initiatives like Faceless Customs Assessment and Examination and enhanced post-clearance audit capacities. However, FBR has flagged severe understaffing issues, particularly in audit roles, with only 355 auditors in place, against a shortfall of 1,559 on the Inland Revenue side.
To address these challenges, FBR plans to hire additional auditors and sectoral experts, including specialists in accounting, customs valuation, and data analysis. The estimated financial impact of these hires for the next fiscal year stands at Rs1.3 billion. The Rightsizing Committee emphasized the need for sustainable policies while acknowledging FBR’s challenges and its reliance on automation and skilled human resources to modernize its operations.
