The government’s decision to remove the current chairman of Sindh Revenue Board (SRB) has spread uncertainty among the officials working in the tax collecting body on deputation basis, Pakistan Today has learnt.
After the establishment of SRB, a retired bureaucrat, Nazar Hussain Mahar, was appointed as the body’s chairman on contractual basis for a two-year term by the Sindh government in violation of orders of the Supreme Court of Pakistan.
The apex court had earlier given a verdict that no government post shall be filled on contract basis as it deprives the senior and dedicated officers from their fundamental right.
Well-placed sources told Pakistan Today that after assuming charge at the SRB, Mahar got many officials of his choice appointed at the revenue board with hefty salaries, perks and extra privileges.
More than 10 officials, considered favourites of SRB Chairman Mahar, are enjoying lucrative posts in the tax collecting body with heavy salaries and extra benefits. These include Iqbal Lakho, Sardar Abdul Nabi Thahim, Sara and Javed Memon among others.
Lakho, initially an officer at the Sindh Planning and Development (P&D) Department, was inducted in the SRB on deputation, where he was given the charge as Deputy Commissioner, SRB Headquarters.
The sources said that Lakho was dealing with all major issues between the board and the taxpayers on behalf of the chairman. “Lakho has always been blessed by Mahar even when he was the Additional Chief Secretary at P&D department and was also appointed as Mahar’s Personal Staff Officer, besides being given the charge of many multi-million rupees projects,” they added.
Thahim, working as Commissioner Sales Tax (Survey and Intelligence), besides having the additional charge as project director of Strengthening of SRB, with a budget of more than Rs 600 million.
Sara, an officer at the Sindh Excise and Taxation (E&T) Department, is also enjoying a lucrative post at the SRB while Memon, a retired E&T officer, is working at the board as the Sales Tax consultant with an attractive salary package.
Meanwhile, the appointment of the new chairman will also be made in violation of the apex court order, as the Sindh government has advertised for the post of chairman for the SRB to be filled on contract basis.
According to the advertisement published for the SRB chairman’s position: “The Sindh government is cognisant of the need to expand its revenue base and restructure its revenue organisation, it is therefore, seeking the services of a motivated individual with private and public sector experience to drive change, expand the revenue base and move the Sindh taxation environment towards a more equitable, broad-based and objective oriented focus.”
“It is, therefore seeking an individual for the position of Sindh Revenue Board chairman on contract basis with the following qualifications and experience to lead, manage and drive change through the Sindh Revenue Board.”
