FBR test exposes capability gaps in Karachi officers

A Federal Board of Revenue assessment found serious gaps in the ability of Karachi’s inland revenue officers to handle sales and income tax cases. The Express Tribune reported that none of the 150 sales tax officers tested reached 60%, while only four of 143 income tax officers met or exceeded that mark. Average results were 26.4% and 33.3%, respectively.

The assessment also found that just 15 sales tax officers and 14 income tax officers were considered capable of issuing correct orders independently. Among 139 participants who took the combined test, four met the required standard in both areas, and only eight could review orders covering both taxes. The report recommended further training, assigning duties according to competence and improving order checks; it cautioned that the findings, based on three cases per tax category, were an initial indicator.