IRS appeals to ECP on FBR restructuring

The Inland Revenue Service (IRS) has approached the Election Commission of Pakistan, urging the electoral body to prevent the interim government from what it deems an “illegal and unconstitutional” restructuring of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). The petition was filed during the inaugural meeting of a sub-committee of the federal cabinet, which remained inconclusive on Wednesday. A day earlier, the cabinet had formed a committee of six ministers to discuss the proposal to overhaul the FBR. The cabinet had also withheld approval of the summary to restructure the FBR, citing a lack of clarity and questioning the legal mandate of the interim government to proceed with such a drastic restructuring exercise. During Wednesday’s meeting, cabinet ministers expressed their views on the proposed restructuring of the FBR. Another meeting is scheduled for today (Thursday). The finance minister has proposed the separation of the Inland Revenue Board and the Federal Customs Board, along with the isolation of tax policy from operations.