Pakistan's Best Tax Collector Fired by PPP Government

Abdullah Yusuf, the most effective tax collector in Pakistan's history, has been fired, without explanation, by the PPP government while he was traveling overseas in his official capacity. When the surprise news came, he was in the Russian Federation to discuss customs issues and planned to go to Geneva, Switzerland next, according to Business Recorder newspaper.

Mr. Yusuf's key accomplishments include doubling of the revenue collection to achieve an aggressive target of over Rs 1.04 trillion in 2007-08; implementation of broad-based reforms within the tax system; universal self-assessment regimes; paperless customs clearances and e-filing systems and customer responsiveness with the business trade and bodies for creating a friendly business environment. Before Mr. Yusuf's reforms, the tax collection bureaucracy in Pakistan was notoriously corrupt and inefficient and he faced a lot of internal resistance. Mr. Yusuf is a chartered accountant and financial management consultant with extensive experience in public and private sectors.

Mr. Yusuf was appointed by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz to the position of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) chairman as part of his broad agenda for reform in governance. Mr. Yusuf is also known to be close to President Musharraf. While there has been no explanation offered for Mr. Yusuf's termination, it appears to be politically motivated. This action is particularly troubling, given the revenue growth target for the next five years set at an ambitious 25% per year. Such lofty targets require a highly competent and aggressive FBR leader with a proven track record, like Mr. Yusuf. Pakistan's highest national interest requires that key appointments not be politicized.

It seems that the critics of President Musharraf have been obsessed with a YouTube video clip showing Mr. Yusuf dancing and President Musharraf and former Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz smiling. The focus has been on judging the performance of Mr. Yusuf on the dance floor and his relationship with Mr. Musharraf rather than his undeniable accomplishments as the chief tax collector of Pakistan. Indeed, this is sad day for Pakistan.

Earlier this year, I found myself on the receiving end of lots of email traffic after Mr. Yusuf's video appeared on YouTube. I'd like to share with you one particular message that I found closest to reflecting my own feelings about it. Here it is:

We seem to be a nation of hypocrites. I say this because we seem to judge people quickly from their outward appearance. Surely a human being is much deeper than the outward appearance. There is a hadith that our Prophet prohibited people from condemning any one as kafir, as he said that this was a secret between that person and God. There is a deeper lesson in this.We as a nation are quick to pronounce judgment on the moral fiber of all and sundry in quick time; but do we judge ourselves? Jesus had said, when a prostitute was brought before him for judgment, "let he who has not sinned cast the first stone". Do we ever think along those lines? This is what makes ours a nation of hypocrites. The CBR Chairman, and I did not know him personally; was mentioned to me by many friend and acquaintances of mine who had the experience of dealing with CBR, and I got a unanimous positive appraisal that during the tenure of this chairman, CBR's performance had improved quantum fold in attitude and performance. I also felt this in the form of a major tax-payer of Pakistan; and certainly the level of harassment that one went through the tax department was greatly reduced. Should we be judging this chairman for his good performance at his job, or condemning him for what he does on his own leisure time. To the citizens of Pakistan his performance at his job is most important for the well being of this nation. Dancing, I think, is a natural out-pouring of happiness, and man has been dancing through the ages. So what is wrong here!! I think what is wrong here is using these videos to malign him and judge him unreasonably. May Allah guide us all in the right direction.

Here's the "controversial" videoclip: