ISLAMABAD UNS : Sixteen senior officers of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) have reportedly been identified as holding dual nationality or permanent residency in foreign countries, prompting the tax authority to initiate further scrutiny of the matter.
According to documents cited in media reports, the officials include 10 officers from the Inland Revenue Service (IRS) and six from the Pakistan Customs Service (PCS).
The Inland Revenue officials reportedly include senior officers serving in Grades 19 to 21, while the Customs officers include officials in Grades 17, 19 and 20.
Following the disclosures, the FBR has decided to examine the matter further and has sought information from other officers regarding any foreign citizenship or permanent residency status they may hold.
Under new disclosure requirements concerning the foreign nationality and residency status of civil servants, FBR officers have been directed to provide the relevant information through a prescribed form.
Officials have reportedly been given 90 days to disclose details of any foreign citizenship or permanent residency.
However, holding dual nationality or foreign permanent residency does not, by itself, constitute misconduct.
Any administrative or legal action would depend on the applicable laws, government service rules and the individual circumstances of each officer.
