Naeemul Haque says Shabbar Zaidi not being changed as FBR chairman

Published July 18, 2019
Assistant to the Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan on Political Affairs Naeemul Haq says Shabbar Zaidi [pictured] will remain in his position. — DawnNewsTV/File
Assistant to the Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan on Political Affairs Naeemul Haq says Shabbar Zaidi [pictured] will remain in his position. — DawnNewsTV/File

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Naeemul Haque on Thursday rubbished rumours regarding removal of Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Chairman Shabbar Zaidi, saying that he would retain his position.

"Shabbar Zaidi not being changed. He will remain in his position," Haque said on Twitter.

Earlier, Zaidi himself had said: “I don’t want to comment, Prime Minister Imran Khan will decide.”

Zaidi was appointed to the position on May 10 by the premier.

It was earlier speculated that Zaidi could be moved up the hierarchy, either to the position of Minister of State for Revenue that fell vacant after its former occupant, Hammad Azhar, was elevated to full minister status and given the Economic Affairs Division, or to the position of Special Advisor to the Prime Minister on Revenue.

Members of FBR who report directly to the chairman told Dawn that a certain amount of disconnect exists between them and Zaidi. One of them said that the chairman shares no information with the members posted at the tax body. “There is an environment of distrust of FBR chief with his team members,” the source said.

On the other hand, the business community has been agitating against the revenue measures announced in the budget. Reports have also circulated regarding the business community approaching people in the corridors of power over the appointment of Zaidi as chairman FBR.

Follow Dawn Business on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook for insights on business, finance and tech from Pakistan and across the world.

Opinion

Editorial

Military option
Updated 21 Nov, 2024

Military option

While restoring peace is essential, addressing Balochistan’s socioeconomic deprivation is equally important.
HIV/AIDS disaster
21 Nov, 2024

HIV/AIDS disaster

A TORTUROUS sense of déjà vu is attached to the latest health fiasco at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital. The largest...
Dubious pardon
21 Nov, 2024

Dubious pardon

IT is disturbing how a crime as grave as custodial death has culminated in an out-of-court ‘settlement’. The...
Islamabad protest
Updated 20 Nov, 2024

Islamabad protest

As Nov 24 draws nearer, both the PTI and the Islamabad administration must remain wary and keep within the limits of reason and the law.
PIA uncertainty
20 Nov, 2024

PIA uncertainty

THE failed attempt to privatise the national flag carrier late last month has led to a fierce debate around the...
T20 disappointment
20 Nov, 2024

T20 disappointment

AFTER experiencing the historic high of the One-day International series triumph against Australia, Pakistan came...