Tax Policy Office DG Resigns Ahead of IMF Review

آئی ایم ایف جائزے سے قبل ٹیکس پالیسی آفس کے ڈی جماعت اسلامی مستعفی

Tax Policy Office DG Resigns Ahead of IMF Review

Dr Najeeb Ahmad Memon, Director General of the much-touted Tax Policy Office (TPO) under the Finance Division, has resigned from his position with immediate effect. Just ahead of the IMF's review mission to Islamabad, likely in the third week of this month, the important position has fallen vacant. The Ministry of Finance has advertised the post of DG TPO, offering a lucrative Special Professional Pay Scale (SPPS-1). When contacted for comments on Dr Najeeb Ahmad Memon's departure, a Ministry of Finance spokesperson confirmed that he would not continue to serve as DG TPO. Official sources said Dr Memon had taken premature retirement before joining the TPO as its director general on a contractual basis. Dr Memon was appointed DG TPO in the Ministry of Finance on October 24, 2025, with the approval of the prime minister, in SPPS-1 on a two-year contract. The TPO, in coordination with Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Member Dr Hamid Ateeq Sarwar, prepared the tax proposals for the 2026-27 budget. The Ministry of Finance has now advertised the post of DG TPO, and eligible candidates can apply by September 11, 2026. The DG TPO position requires a master's degree or higher in economics, public finance, public policy, taxation or tax policy, along with at least 12 years of leadership experience in tax policy, fiscal management or public finance. Candidates must also demonstrate the ability to lead transformative initiatives in complex environments and have a proven record of engaging stakeholders across government, international organisations and the private sector. This correspondent contacted Dr Memon for his comments, but he did not respond until the filing of this report. The Ministry of Finance has also advertised another key position of adviser in the TPO at the SPPS-1 level. The adviser will advise the finance minister and the ministry on strategic tax policy issues and emerging domestic and international developments affecting taxation.