In a significant move to reform the country’s civil services, a new performance management system has been launched within the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) for Customs and Inland Revenue officers, which will eventually be extended across all services and cadres in the Central Superior Services (CSS). This reform is set to replace the outdated and flawed system of Performance Evaluation Reports (PERs).
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has approved the new scheme, which has drastically reduced the number of officers in the FBR classified as “outstanding” or “very good,” from 98% to just 40%. Under the previous system, nearly all officers were ranked as top performers in terms of integrity. The new system, however, divides officers into five categories from “A” to “E,” with each group containing 20% of the officers. High performers will now receive higher salaries, and this will be assessed every six months.
The scheme was designed by FBR Chairman Rashid Langrial and his team, who implemented it successfully for the past six months. Unlike the previous system, which allowed manipulation, the new system uses a digitized platform that ensures objectivity. Officers are reviewed by 45 peers—seniors, juniors, and colleagues—anonymously every six months, and their performance is ranked through a forced-ranking system that restricts the “outstanding” category to just 20%.
Salaries are now performance-based, with top performers earning four times higher pay, while others in lower categories receive proportionate compensation. The system is designed to be tamper-proof, with access limited to senior FBR officials who cannot alter the assessments. A technical panel will also review the quality of work, ensuring a fair evaluation process.
