ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) and the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) have expressed serious concerns over abrupt "removal" of Nausheen Javaid Amjad from the position of FBR chairperson, and adhoc appointment of Muhammad Javed Ghani just for a period of three months.
The PBC Vice-Chairman, Abid Saqi, and the SCBA President, Syed Qalb-i-Hassan, in a joint statement, issued on Tuesday, expressed their surprise and apprehension at the top-level changes in the FBR, at this critical juncture, when the Supreme Court has referred the matter pertaining to the high-profile case of Justice Qasi Faez Isa to the FBR for investigation.
Both the top lawyers' leaders said prima facie it amounts to manipulation and adversely influencing the investigation. They, therefore, strongly criticised the "ill-motivated" move of the federal government to remove the FBR chairperson, and not replacing her by a permanent appointment.
They said it gives strength to the apprehension that the government is not willing to let the FBR proceed with the matter of investigation pertaining to the case of Justice Qazi Faez Isa, independently and maintaining its neutrality, which, in a way, amounts to contempt of the Court. The bar leaders have, therefore, demanded of the government to reverse its order of removing the chairperson of the FBR or in the alternate a senior independent officer of the FBR, not below Grade-22, is appointed, so as to ensure an independent and neutral investigation of the matter that stands referred to the FBR by the apex court relating to the high-profile case of Justice Qazi Faez Isa, otherwise, the investigation, and any report in that regard will not be accepted by the legal fraternity and the Bar will strongly resist the same. The federal govt on Saturday transferred Nausheen Javaid Amjad as chairperson of the FBR, and Javed Ghani, a Grade-22 officer of the Pakistan Customs, was given the additional charge of FBR chairman for three months or until the appointment of a regular chairman, whichever is earlier. It is reported that Nausheen is removed due to alleged differences over policy choices, and a tussle over transfers and postings of the board officers.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2020
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