The interim government has decided to declare all “NBR-operated customs houses, ICDs, bond commissionerates, and customs stations as Essential Services to safeguard urgent import-export and foreign trade operations in the national interest.”
The official statement was shared by Shafiqul Alam, Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser, on his verified Facebook page.
The statement comes as the National Board of Revenue (NBR) Reform Unity Council continued its complete shutdown of services to taxpayers for a second consecutive day on Sunday, pressing for immediate removal of NBR Chairman Abdur Rahman Khan and complete stopping of ‘vengeful transfers’.
According to the statement, the government has “grave concerns” regarding the protests carried out by NBR officials, which it deems to be “unlawfully and unethically disrupting business activities, import-export operations, and revenue collection under the guise of protests.”
This refers to the fact that, since early June, NBR officials under the Unity Council banner have carried out a series of protest programmes including work abstentions, hunger strikes, and human chains, alleging administrative irregularities, intimidation of officers, and obstacles to reform efforts.
The protests escalated after the government issued an ordinance on May 12 dissolving the NBR and the Internal Resources Division, replacing them with the Revenue Policy Division and the Revenue Management Division.
The statement goes on to describe these protests as being “premeditated and malicious, fundamentally contrary to national interests and citizens’ rights” and as “persisting in rigid agitation that continues to harm the economy.”
Due to the declaration of NBR-operated services as “essential”, the statement adds that the interim government now expects “protesting officials and staff to return to work immediately and cease all unlawful, anti-national activities. Failure to comply will compel the government to take stern measures to protect the public and the economy.”