As the higher authorities contemplate replacing the Sindh Revenue Board chairman, the officials working in the tax collecting body on a deputation basis, are feeling insecure regarding their jobs, Pakistan Today has learnt.
After the establishment of the Sindh Revenue Board, a retired bureaucrat, Nazar Hussain Mahar, was appointed the body’s chairman on a two-year contract basis by the Sindh government, while violating the Supreme Court’s orders. After Mahar took charge, he employed the officials he favoured, providing them heavy salaries, perks and privileges, well-placed sources told Pakistan Today.
Recently, the Sindh government advertised for the post to replace the present one.
The appointment of the new chairman will also be made in violation of the apex court’s orders that had said that no post be filled on a contract basis as it deprives senior officers of their rights. According to the advertisement published, the Sindh government needs to expand its revenue base and restructure the organisation and needs the services of an individual with private and public sector experience. The blue-eyed officials enjoying lucrative posts in the tax collecting body include Iqbal Lakho, Sardar Abdul Nabi Thahim, Sara, Javed Memon and others.
Iqbal Lakho, whose is originally a Planning and Development Department officer, was employed as the Sindh Revenue Board Headquarter deputy commissioner.
Sources said Lakho was charged with dealing with all the major issues between the board and the taxpayers on behalf of the chairman. Lakho was also made the chairman’s personal staff officer besides being allowed to head multi-million projects for the Planning and Development Department. Abdul Nabi Thahim, who was previously working as Sales Tax commissioner, was given the post of the Revenue Board Project director.
Sara is also enjoying a lucrative post in the board as an officer of the Excise and Taxation Department.
Javed Memon is now employed as a Sales Tax consultant. He is a retired officer of the Excise and Taxation Department.