ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Monday appointed chartered accountant Syed Shabbar Zaidi the new chief of the Federal Board of Revenue after its top economic policy leadership was cleared out during bailout talks with the International Monetary Fund.
The previous head of the agency, Jahanzeb Khan, was sacked on Friday along with the head of Pakistan’s central bank, reflecting the turmoil in Prime Minister Imran Khan’s government as it grapples with a slowing economy, a weakening currency and soaring inflation.
Their removal comes only weeks after Finance Minister Asad Umar was asked to step down amid difficult talks with the IMF over what would be Pakistan’s 13th bailout since the late 1980s.
Poor tax collection and widespread evasion have been problems in Pakistan for decades. The IMF has been pressing the government to increase the tax it collects as it tries to reform the economy.
This year, the FBR is widely expected to miss a targeted 4,398 billion rupees ($31.19 billion) in revenue for the fiscal year ending in June, making it more difficult to cut a budget deficit the IMF expects will top 7 percent of gross domestic product in 2019.
Khan’s government has been frustrated by the low tax collection during its first year in office. The disappointing figures threatening his promises to build a welfare state for the poor.
The central bank forecast in March the economy would grow 3.5 to 4 percent in the 12 months to the end of June, well short of a government target of 6.2 percent. The IMF is more pessimistic, predicting 2.9 percent growth in 2019 and 2.8 percent next year.
Pakistan’s consumer price inflation in March rose to its highest since November 2013, 9.41 percent year-on-year, before easing to 8.82 percent in April.
Pakistan appoints new chief of tax collection body
Pakistan appoints new chief of tax collection body
- Former FBR chief was sacked on Friday amid major reshuffle in economic division
- The IMF has been pressing Pakistan to increase tax collection as it tries to reform the economy
Pakistan U19 to open tri-series against Afghanistan on Saturday in Zimbabwe
- Pakistan enter the tournament as U19 Asia Cup champions after beating India by 191 runs in Dubai
- The tri-series is seen as key preparation for next month’s U19 World Cup in Zimbabwe and Namibia
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s under-19 cricket team will begin their tri-series campaign against Afghanistan on Saturday in Harare, using the tournament as a key preparation for next month’s ICC Men’s U19 World Cup co-hosted by Zimbabwe and Namibia.
Pakistan, the reigning ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup champions, are competing in the 50-over tri-series alongside Afghanistan and hosts Zimbabwe, with each team playing the others twice before the top two advance to the final on Jan. 6.
Pakistan won the eight-team Asia Cup in Dubai earlier this month, beating India by 191 runs in the final, and will play a minimum of four matches in the tri-series, starting at Harare Sports Club on Saturday.
“The Asia Cup was a good win for us and the players showed great morale and intensity,” Pakistan captain Farhan Yousaf said, according to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). “The tri-series is very important for the players and will help us find the right combinations ahead of the ICC Men’s U19 World Cup.”
Pakistan will face Zimbabwe on Dec. 29 before meeting Afghanistan again on Jan. 2, followed by a second match against the hosts on Jan. 4. Matches will be played across venues in Harare, including Harare Sports Club, Prince Edward School and Sunrise Sports Club.
The tri-series is being seen as an important warm-up ahead of the U19 World Cup, which will be held from Jan. 15 to Feb. 6. Pakistan are placed in Group C and will play all their group-stage matches in Harare.
“The conditions here are similar and will be beneficial for our World Cup preparations,” Yousaf said. “Both teams in the tournament are strong and competitive and we respect every opposition as we look forward to a competitive event.”
Pakistan will open their World Cup campaign against England on Jan. 16, followed by matches against Scotland and Zimbabwe, with the Super Six stage beginning on Jan. 25 and the final scheduled for Feb. 6 at Harare Sports Club.
