Feb 18
Time Not Specified
SDPI, 38, Main Embassy Road, G-6/3, Islamabad

Excise
and Taxation departments are generally perceived as one of the most corrupt
government departments in Pakistan.
The journey of Excise and Taxation Department of Islamabad under the
supervision of a mid-career civil servant, Dr Ehtasham Anwar, from one such
department to that of a role model of change for others in a span of few months
has therefore intrigued many minds. In the words of a leading
newspaper;
“The
premises were untidy and dilapidated; fixtures and counters were outdated and
shabby; the surroundings were infested with touts and agents; staff was rude,
non-cooperative and amenable to bribery; corruption was rampant and not even a
leaf moved without money; procedures and requirements were cumbersome, complex
and unclear; information and guidance were unavailable; checks and balances
were not there and supervision was lacking; discretionary powers were used in
favour of those who were rich or wielded influence; indiscipline and chaos were
the hallmarks. Not so, any more.” (Excise and Taxation Department turning
into model for others; The News, February 2, 2011 http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=29009&Cat=6&dt=4/3/2011,
Irfan
Siddiqi, renowned columnist of the leading daily Jang in his column dated October 17, 2010 went
to the extent of suggesting Punjab Government to learn from the miracle done in
Islamabad. (http://jang.com.pk/jang/oct2011-daily/17-10-2011/col2.htm).
What
actually had enabled Dr Ehtasham Anwar to bring such an enormous change? Was it
a result of a well thought out strategy or just random measures? If at all it
was a well thought out strategy, what were its components? Could it be applied
to other public service departments in Pakistan and achieve similar
results there too? These and other governance related aspects in the local,
national and global context will be discussed in this seminar.
ENTRY IS OPEN TO ALL
Chair: Dr. Tariq Banuri, Former Executive Director, SDPI and Head of Sustainable Development Division, United Nations, USA (will share his view on governance in local, national and global context)
- Barrister Dr Ehtasham
Anwar, Additional Deputy Commissioner General (ADCG), Islamabad (will make a presentation on his
successful experience of turning the traditional Excise and Taxation
Department Islamabad into what many term ‘A Role
Model’). -
Dr. Abid Qaiyum Suleri, Executive Director, Sustainable Development
Policy Institute (SDPI).