NBR officials open to talks with govt, but protest continues
We are open to talks with the government. However, the protest will not be withdrawn at this stage, says a NBR official
Despite the government's invitation for dialogue to resolve the ongoing unrest at the National Board of Revenue (NBR), protesting officials have made it clear that they will not suspend or withdraw their movement unless their demands are met through discussions.
On Thursday night (26 June), following a meeting between senior NBR officials and Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed, NBR Chairman Abdur Rahman Khan expressed optimism and said the impasse would be resolved by tonight (Thursday).
At the meeting, the adviser urged the protesting officials to call off the protests.
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However, after a separate meeting of the NBR Reform Unity Council, the platform leading the protests, around 11:30pm, a NBR senior official on condition of anonymity told The Business Standard, "We are open to talks with the government. However, the protest will not be withdrawn at this stage.
"If a fruitful outcome is reached in the dialogue, a decision to suspend or withdraw the protest will be considered."
Another official, who was present at the meeting with the finance adviser, told TBS, "The adviser requested everyone to end the protest. He said the government is willing to engage in talks, but only if the protest is withdrawn.
"Otherwise, the government may take a tough stance. They will not remove the chairman."
