What is the job of chairman FBR?
To work hard and make sure federal revenue of Pakistan increases so that it can be used to develop the country. It is also his job to help in making policies so that country sees good growth and GDP increases. Without increase in GDP revenue do not increase and no country can develop without revenue. Here is record of Pakistan tax revenue:
This is state of federal revenue during Nawaz period, before President Musharraf took over:
1996-97: Rs 282 bn ($6.9 bn @ Rs 41 = $)
1997-98: Rs 293 bn ($6.4 bn @ Rs 46 = $)
1998-99: Rs 308 bn ($5.7 bn @ Rs 54 = $)
Increase of Rs 26 billion or 9.2 percent in 2 years @ 4.5 percent a year. This increase was actually huge decline in real terms as inflation was very high during this period. Revenue also decreased in dollar terms as rupee kept devaluing fast during this period.
After Musharraf but before M Abdullah Yousuf took over as FBR chairman:
1998-99: Rs 308 bn ($5.7 bn @ Rs 54 = $)
2003-04: Rs 520 bn ($8.95 bn @ Rs 58 = $)
Increase of Rs 212 bn or 69 percent in 5 years @11.1 percent a year. This increase was substantial in real terms as inflation was very low during this period. Increase was reasonable in dollar terms too. During this period, value of rupee on average was around Rs 58 to a dollar.
After M Abdullah Yousuf took over as FBR chairman:
2003-04: Rs 520 bn ($8.95 bn @ 58 = $)
2007-08: Rs 1002 bn ($15.9 bn @ 63 = $)
Increase of Rs 482 bn or 93 percent in 4 years @ 17.9 percent a year. This increased was substantial in real terms as inflation was slightly higher than 1999-2004, but increase in percentage of revenue collection was much higher. Pakistan also saw huge economical growth during this period (GDP on average increased at over 7 percent a year). Increase in dollar terms is similar to increase in rupee terms as dollar exchange rate was constant at around Rs 60 to a dollar most of the time.
Now, some Pakistanis complain that why Pakistan never progresses and blame on government officials that they are corrupt and do not work for the country but work for themselves. These Pakistanis do not see or think that for people to work for the country; those on jobs not only need security, respect and acknowledgement, but should know that their works are rewarded.
In well managed countries, political appointments are mostly at ministerial level. People in government jobs running the country stay same but policy changes with change in political setup having different political values and directions. No one get effected as favouritism and nepotism do not play any role in appointments or sacking of anyone in government jobs.
Fortunately when there is military government in Pakistan, rulers do not have favourites and whoever works get security, respect, acknowledgment as well as rewards. Commitments from rulers can be seen in the country, corruption and nepotism get reduced, chaotic situation get reduced, order and direction can be seen at most places, and so people work hard and country develops fast.
Unfortunately when crook and corrupt political thugs take over, hard work do not matter even for those in government jobs, as favouritism and nepotism overshadows everything. Appointments and promotions does not take into account performance neither performances give any security to anyone. Connections become currency of promotion, appointments, as well as security in government jobs. So, it is understandable that government officials instead of working for country work for themselves and their political masters, knowing that their work or even good of the country is immaterial.
Here is report of chairman FBR getting sacked: Read and think:
FBR chief sacked on way to Russia for customs talks -DAWN - Top Stories; July 24, 2008
FBR chief sacked on way to Russia for customs talks
By Mubarak Zeb Khan
ISLAMABAD, July 23: The government sacked Federal Board of Revenue chairman M. Abdullah Yousuf on Wednesday and appointed Board of Investment Secretary Ahmed Waqar to succeed him.
Mr Yousuf, who was one of the important economic managers of the previous government, was removed from the post in an unceremonious way. He is in Geneva as member of an official delegation to the WTO ministerial meeting and was scheduled to leave for Moscow on Wednesday for talks with Russian officials on customs cooperation.
On Tuesday, he was made member of a committee to recommend ways for reducing the impact of international oil prices on economy.
According to a notification issued by the establishment division, the services of Mr Yousuf as chairman of the FBR and secretary general revenue were terminated with immediate effect.
Ahmad Waqar, a BS-22 officer of the secretariat group, has been given the additional charge of the revenue division. He will take over his new assignment on Thursday.
Mr Waqar was removed from the post of finance secretary by the caretaker government on charges of alleged inefficiency.
Mr Yousuf, who held additional charge of secretary general revenue, was among the four trusted economic managers of President Pervez Musharraf. All of them have been eased out. The other three are Export Promotion Bureau chairman Tariq Ikram, deputy chairman of the Planning Commission Dr Akram Shaikh and finance secretary Dr Waqar Masood.
Just three days before the completion of its five-year term in November last year, the PML-Q-led government had granted a three-year extension to Mr Yousuf, who turned 60 in March of this year. The extension was granted to ensure continuity of the World Bank-funded reforms project for tax administration which was expected to be completed next year.
An accountant by profession, Mr Yousuf also served as director finance and managing director of the Utility Stores Corporation and secretary of the Board of Investment, ministry of industry and the Privatisation Commission. He worked as secretary of the ministry of petroleum and natural resources for five years.
He was inducted into the unified regular cadre of the secretariat group in BPS-22 in 2006 and was subsequently declared the senior-most federal secretary, followed by his elevation to the post of secretary general.
When Mr Yousuf took charge of the FBR in 2004, the revenue collection was Rs518.8 billion, which increased to over Rs1,002 billion in 2007-08.
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