Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Finance and Revenue, chaired the second meeting of the FBR Policy Board. The meeting was held at the FBR Headquarters, Islamabad.The Adviser emphasized on the need to establish a link between NADRA and FBR for data sharing and data analytics. In an effort to get started on this, a subgroup of members was created, to point out and sort the difficulties that are hindering the progress on data sharing between the two organizations.
The subgroup consists of Chairman NADRA, and Chairman FBR, along with Mr. Hammad Azhar, Dr. Ishrat Hussain, and Mr. Faiz Kamoka. Within a week’s time, the subgroup will share its report with the chairman in a week.
Chairman FBR briefed the Adviser on the efforts the institute has been making to improve the abilities and expertise of its human resources and on the progress of the automation drive of FBR/Customs.
The FBR head briefed the Adviser on the measures taken and future courses planned to improve the skills and competence of its staff by providing different in-house and foreign training to improve managerial competence and adopt a culture of performance-based incentives including promotions.
He also briefed the Adviser on the work being done on the IRIS (software) side to consolidate various application platforms into one to improve efficiency and performance.
Additionally, the Chairman informed that a technologically advanced sales tax registration verification mechanism is introduced. Whereby officers with tablets will be sent to capture real-time information and pictures including GPS coordinates of businesses requiring verification. Details of data sharing arrangements agreed to by twelve other organizations with FBR were also discussed in the meeting.
The Adviser noted the difficulties the traders are facing due to the stoppage of containers at the Torkham Border. Member customs informed that necessary steps have been taken and the issue will be resolved within the coming weeks. Mr. Syed Javed shared his recommendations on PRAL and told that CEO PRAL has been appointed.
The next meeting of the policy board will be held by the end of this month and the ToRs will be presented for approval. Mr.Hammad Azhar and Mr.Abdullah Yousaf shall prepare the said ToRs.
