ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has taken a key step toward meeting a major condition set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), as the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) issued draft amendments to the rules governing the asset declarations of government officials.
According to local media reports, citing FBR officials, the proposed amendments aim to enhance transparency and improve administrative clarity by replacing the term “civil servants” with the broader category of “public servants.”
Under the new definition, the rules will apply to officers in Grade 17 and above, including those serving in the federal and provincial governments, as well as in autonomous bodies and state-owned corporations, according to media reports.
However, individuals exempted under the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Ordinance of 1999 will not be included.
The draft proposes that all officers from Grades 17 to 22 will be required to disclose their assets to the FBR. These amendments have been proposed under Section 237 of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001.
The FBR has invited public feedback and suggestions on the draft within seven days, noting that comments submitted after the deadline will not be considered.
Officials added that the changes are intended to strengthen the asset declaration framework and improve mechanisms for information exchange, thereby promoting greater transparency and accountability in public governance.
Pakistan’s approval of a key IMF condition comes as negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) enter their final phase, with both sides reportedly reaching consensus on most aspects of the country’s import policy framework.
Earlier today, the IMF called on Pakistan to enforce a complete ban on car imports under personal capacity. However, it has conditionally approved the import of commercial vehicles up to five years old.
