ISLAMABAD: The Chairman of the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC), Malik Asif Hayat, will retire on Aug 14.

He called on President Mamnoon Hussain at the presidency on Friday and presented him the commission’s annual report of last year.

Mr Hayat is said to be one of trustworthy officials of former president Asif Ali Zardari. He had served in the presidency under the previous PPP government for four years. During the last days of the PPP government, he was appointed FPSC chairman in 2013.

Although the appointment was for four years, Mr Hayat has to leave the office because he is reaching the retirement age of 60 years next month.

According to the presidential spokesperson, the FPSC report covers the functions, activities, observations and recommendations of the commission for the last year. It focuses on the recruitments made by the FPSC through Central Superior Services Competitive and section officers’ promotional examinations and for technical and professional ex-cadre posts.

The FPSC chairman highlighted the commission’s efforts to adhere to merit and ensuring transparency and competition. President Hussain appreciated the role being played by the Federal Public Service Commission in selecting competent and qualified persons for public service. Emphasising merit-based selection and recruitment, he said the FPSC had a vital role in selection of right man for the right job.

Appreciating the services of Mr Hayat, the president wished him good health and success in his future career.

Tax ombudsman’s annual report

In a separate meeting with the president, Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) Abdul Rauf Chaudhry presented annual report of his organisation. It said Rs8 billion had been refunded to taxpayers because of decisions made by the FTO.

Mr Chaudhry briefed the president about the charter and functions of his organisation and initiatives being taken by it for speedy disposal of complaints of tax maladministration and redressal of grievances of aggrieved taxpayers.

According to the report, the FTO decided 1,856 of the 1,898 complaints received by it last year. As many as 1,438 complaints (77.48 per cent) were decided in favour of taxpayers, 235 were rejected, 183 withdrawn and 86 cases were ‘informally’ settled.

Published in Dawn, July 26th, 2014