ISLAMABAD, Sept 12: The government on Friday reshuffled six senior members of the federal board of revenue (FBR).

The decision came in line with the PPP-led coalition government’s policy of gradually bringing teams capable of coping with the emerging economic challenges.

The government has appointed Mohammad Afzal Bhatti as new member customs to cope with the problems arising out of the ill-conceived automation of the whole customs department by the previous government.

The software developed under the supervision of the previous government carried a string of shortcomings, which were fully exploited by the unscrupulous importers resulting into billions of revenue loss to the national kitty.

Mr Batti is known for his hard work and professional competence and is considered by his colleagues as an authority on customs matters.

The incumbent member customs Mahmood Alam has been transferred and posted as member FATE (Taxpayers education and facilitation). While Khawar Butt member FATE has been transferred and posted as Director General (DG) Large Taxpayer Unit (LTU), Islamabad.While Muhammad Fayaz, DG LTU, Islamabad has been transferred and posted as DG LTU, Karachi.

According to the notification, Mumtaz Haider Rizvi of the customs group has been transferred and posted as member fiscal research and statistics, FBR. While Hafiz Muhammad Anis, member human resource and management (HRM) has been transferred and posted as member management of information system (MIS).

Under the World Bank funded reforms of tax administration, maximum funds will be utilized for automation of the whole tax department.

The new chairman FBR Ahmad Waqar appointed in July last is trying to remove the bottlenecks in the reforms process.