NBR officials announce non-cooperation from today, call for nationwide strike from Saturday

Officers protesting the dissolution of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) have announced a continuous non-cooperation movement from today (21 May), demanding the removal of NBR Chairman Abdur Rahman Khan.

At a press conference, the agitating officials also declared a full-scale work stoppage – excluding customs houses and land customs stations – across all tax, customs, and VAT offices starting Saturday (24 May).

NBR officials hold protest on 21 May 2025. Photo: TBS

If their demands are not met by then, they warned of a complete halt to all NBR activities except international passenger services starting Monday (26 May).

For the past week, the protesting officials have been observing five-hour daily pen-down strikes.

At the briefing, they announced plans to submit a memorandum to the Chief Adviser tomorrow, outlining their demands and stance.

The officers expressed frustration over what they described as a failed meeting with the finance adviser and members of the advisory council yesterday.

Their demands include the removal of the current NBR chairman, cancellation of the newly passed ordinance, public disclosure of the Revenue Reform Committee's recommendations, and restructuring of the revenue system through consultations with all stakeholders.

Hasina Akhter, additional commissioner of taxes, along with three other senior officers of the NBR Reform Unity Parishad and most of the council's senior members and commissioners, were present at the press conference.

Employees of NBR have been protesting since the NBR was abolished and divided into two divisions through an ordinance issued on 12 May.

The protesters allege that the ordinance to abolish NBR and form the divisions was issued in secret and in a hurry, ignoring the recommendations of the Revenue Reform Committee without publishing them. They fear this will result in their exclusion and marginalisation.