Islamabad (Web Desk) – The government has introduced an amendment bill in parliament seeking to grant legal protection to alleged irregular appointments and unapproved benefits within the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).
Under the proposed legislation, all past actions, decisions and appointments would be given retrospective legal cover. The move comes amid scrutiny over appointments and incentives reportedly made without formal approval.
In the interim, the federal cabinet has temporarily delegated its authority over appointments to the Secretary of the Revenue Division (Grade 22), enabling appointments of FBR members in Grades 21 and 22 until parliamentary approval is secured.
Legal experts argue that the step may conflict with the spirit of the Supreme Court’s ruling in the Mustafa Impex case, which clarified that “federal government” refers to the federal cabinet and that executive powers must be exercised collectively.
The government has also proposed a permanent amendment to the FBR Act 2007, transferring the authority to appoint FBR members from the federal cabinet to the Secretary of the Revenue Division.
The bill is expected to spark debate in parliament, with opposition lawmakers and legal analysts closely examining its constitutional and administrative implications.
