Finance ministry has decided to amend the National Board of Revenue (NBR) split ordinance, considering concerns of protesting officials and the time-consuming nature of implementing changes.
In a press release issued by the ministry on Thursday, it was stated that the NBR will continue functioning as usual until the ‘Revenue Policy and Revenue Management (2025)’ ordinance is revised.
“Since the implementation of the ordinance requires necessary amendments and is a time-consuming process, all activities of the National Board of Revenue will continue as before, and the officials and employees of the Customs and Income Tax cadres will carry out all operations under the existing system,” according to the release.
The administrative framework for separating the BCS (Tax) and BCS (Customs & Excise) cadres will be designed while safeguarding officials’ interests, it added.
“The ordinance will be amended after discussions with NBR and key stakeholders,” the release noted, addressing a major demand of protesting employees.
The ministry clarified that no positions or ranks of Customs and Tax cadre officials would be reduced. Instead, post-reform, opportunities — including promotions to secretary-level posts — will expand.
Pending tasks include finalising the organisational structures of two newly formed departments and revising relevant laws such as the Income Tax Act, Customs Act, and VAT Act.
The ministry urged NBR officials to remain dedicated to revenue collection and budget-related duties, especially during the fiscal year-end, to support national economic activities.
Earlier today, NBR officials under the NBR Reform Unity Parishad submitted a memorandum to the chief adviser, demanding the repeal of the new ordinance separating NBR’s policy and management functions. The memorandum was handed over by a five-member delegation including Additional Commissioners Sehela Siddiqua and Hasan Mohammad Tarek Rikabder to Shabbir Ahmad, assistant private secretary to the chief adviser.
The protesting officials made several demands, including the removal of the NBR chairman, public disclosure of the revenue reform committee’s recommendations, and a comprehensive review of reforms in consultation with stakeholders, including businesses, civil society, and political leaders.
A delegation member, speaking anonymously, said they sought direct talks with the chief adviser to convey junior officers’ concerns. Despite recent meetings with the finance adviser, their issues remain unresolved.
The memorandum also criticised the newly created Revenue Policy Division and Revenue Management Division, alleging the ordinance strategically empowers the policy wing to control operations — defeating the purpose of separation. Protesters claim the move aims to place both divisions under administrative cadre control, sidelining NBR’s tax and customs experts.
This follows another day of staged day-long sit-in protests by NBR officials at the Agargaon headquarters. From May 24, a full work stoppage (excluding customs houses) will begin across all tax, VAT, and customs offices. If demands remain unmet, all NBR operations — except international passenger services — will halt from May 26.