PRAL chief removed from post

ISLAMABAD: Nasir Khan, chief executive of Pakistan Revenue Authority Limited (PRAL), has been removed from his post with immediate effect as tax authorities found massive discrepancies in the data of all major taxes, said officials on Friday.
“Yes, the services of Nasir Khan, CEO of PRAL, has been terminated with immediate effect,” said officials in the FBR. The post of PRAL chief executive officer was considered quite lucrative due to hefty salary and perks, they said.

On the basis of data compiled by PRAL, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) authorities have always claimed that the number of tax filers were over 1.5 million but after conducting cleansing exercise it was found out that there are only 0.8 million tax filers.

PRAL, a subsidiary of the Federal Board of Revenue, was assigned the task for presenting information technology-based solutions confronting tax machinery for performing its operation but as a matter of fact the majority of IT solutions developed by PRAL in the shape of various software failed to deliver any good for the revenue body during the last several years, said officials.

“Yes, PRAL Board headed by the FBR chairman and comprising members of the tax machinery took the decision to remove Khan from his slot as he has been working at this position for the last six years,” they said.

A notification regarding Khan’s removal has been issued. “As a policy matter, none should be posted on such crucial slots for indefinite period so it is important for the FBR to bring change at PRAL,” said an official of the FBR, adding that the board would advertise this position and make appointment purely on merit.

For interim arrangement, the FBR has assigned acting charge to Imtiaz Ahmed till the selection of the new PRAL chief executive officer, he said.

However, sources cited an example, saying that when the FBR started identification of non-customs paid vehicles in the country on the instructions of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, it was established that the data of imports compiled by PRAL was not reliable.

“Keeping in view this situation, the FBR chairman has no other option but to remove those who were allegedly responsible for this whole mess,” said the official.

Posted in: Business news