Govt to discuss amendments to Revenue Ordinance with NBR officials tomorrow
According to a press release issued by the Ministry of Finance today (25 June), the meeting has been called by the finance adviser and will take place at 5pm
The government will hold a meeting with representatives of the BCS (Tax) and BCS (Customs & Excise) cadres tomorrow (26 June) to address concerns raised over the Revenue Policy and Revenue Management Ordinance, 2025.
According to a press release issued by the Ministry of Finance today (25 June), the meeting has been called by the finance adviser and will take place at 5pm.
The Revenue Policy and Revenue Management Ordinance, 2025, was put into effect through a gazette on 12 May following the approval of the president.
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The ordinance, which separates revenue policy formulation from revenue collection, was drafted after discussions with stakeholders and submitted by officials of the relevant cadres in early March.
The move to separate the two functions had long been suggested by civil society, economists, business groups, and development partners to improve efficiency in revenue administration, reads the press release.
On 9 October 2024, the interim government formed an advisory committee on National Board of Revenue (NBR) reform. Following its recommendations, the Advisory Council gave principal approval for the separation of policy and implementation on 16 January 2025.
However, after the ordinance was issued, officers and employees of the NBR began protests, demanding its repeal. In response, the finance adviser held a meeting on 20 May with 13 representatives of the NBR Reform Unity Council.
It was then agreed that the ordinance would be implemented after bringing in necessary amendments in consultation with stakeholders.
Following this, a press release on 25 May announced that amendments would be finalised by 31 July 2025. The protesting officers subsequently suspended their programmes.
However, fresh demonstrations began on 22 June under the banner of the NBR Reform Unity Council.
In light of this, the finance adviser has once again invited representatives for discussion in an effort to reach a consensus and move forward with the planned reforms.
The government has expressed hope that all misunderstandings will be resolved through the meeting and that amendments to the ordinance will be finalised by the previously announced date of 31 July, the press release states.
The finance adviser has urged all NBR officers and employees to remain at their posts and focus on revenue collection during the final working days of the current fiscal year.
