Transfer to P&D Division not a sudden move: Sohail

The Chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), Sohail Ahmed, categorically stated on Tuesday that his transfer to the Planning and Development Division as Secretary "is not a sudden move" by the government and not surprising for him at all. Talking to Business Recorder at the FBR House here, he said that his posting had nothing to do with the 'Reformed General Sales Tax' (RGST).
It was not a surprise move to replace him with Finance and Revenue Secretary Salman Saddique. "I was expecting this change, which is the right decision for me," he said. He said that Salman has ample experience of interaction with the donor agencies, particularly negotiations with International Monetary Fund (IMF) under the Stand-By Arrangement (SBA). The present Finance Secretary has also worked as Secretary, Revenue Division, having vast experience of tax administration reforms and tax policy issues.
Similarly, the new Finance Secretary Dr Waqar Masood has worked as key negotiator with the donor agencies in the past. Waqar was also holding the post of Finance Secretary at the time when Pakistan negotiated and finalised its highest ever $11.3 billion SBA with IMF.
Sohail said that the government "has made most suitable arrangement" by transferring him as Secretary, Planning Division. "I have worked twice as Secretary, Planning, Punjab, and the new position is the most suitable position for me. If you see my CV you would find most of my past positions relates to the Planning Division", he added.
When asked whether World Bank and IMF were unhappy over frequent changes in the top slots of the FBR for consistency of reforms, he said: "What would be the most appropriate decision than appointing Salman as FBR Chairman for maintaining consistency in tax administration reforms? The new posting of Salman as FBR Chairman is rightly in line with the viewpoint of donors to continue with the reforms in the tax machinery under the Tax Administration Reform Project (TARP). A top official of Finance Ministry, having experience of both as Secretary, Finance, and Secretary-General, Revenue Division, is the most appropriate choice for heading the FBR. The continuity of key reform initiatives in the FBR would be ensured in the presence of new FBR Chairman."
He said that that he would continue to work as FBR Chairman till December 24, 2010, and would join his new position, on relinquishing the present charge, as Secretary of Planning Division. A number of senior government officials visited the FBR House on Tuesday to congratulate Sohail on his new appointment as Planning Division Secretary.