The government has reaffirmed its decision to maintain the National Board of Revenue (NBR) as two separate entities while pledging to consider officials’ concerns during the implementation process, Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed announced Tuesday.
Following a crucial meeting with NBR cadre officials at the Secretariat, Salehuddin clarified that the separation, based on “national interest, public interest and business considerations,” would proceed as planned. “All confusion has been resolved,” he stated, though acknowledging several implementation steps remain, reports UNB.
The finance adviser emphasised that officials’ demands would be considered during the drafting of regulations for the newly formed Revenue Policy and Revenue Administration departments.
“We will try to incorporate their demands as much as possible,” he said, while ruling out any further formal discussions on the matter. An existing advisory committee will handle future communications.
When questioned about the timeline, Salehuddin noted that groundwork must precede a gazette notification, with full implementation unlikely before the June 2 budget presentation.
Regarding ongoing protests by NBR officials, he remarked, “We’ve told them to withdraw their movement. Whether they do or not is not my concern.”
NBR Chairman Md Abdur Rahman Khan confirmed that officials’ concerns were heard, with the finance ministry set to take next steps.
The meeting was attended by key advisers and senior officials.
The decision comes after a May 12 notification formalising the NBR split, sparking protests from officials who alleged marginalisation of tax and customs cadres.
While the government maintains the restructuring will enhance efficiency, the resolution of cadre-specific grievances remains pending as implementation progresses.
Meanwhile, A finance ministry release stated that the meeting gave due consideration to officials’ input on the Revenue Policy and Revenue Administration Ordinance, 2025, with assurances of addressing their concerns in the final framework.
Earlier, NBR officials had been strongly protesting the split, claiming that officers from the tax and customs cadres have been sidelined and subjected to undue control under the new structure.
In response, many officials engaged in the recent pen-down strike.
Meanwhile, a finance ministry release stated that representatives from the Revenue Reform Advisory Committee of the NBR, BCS (Tax) cadre, and BCS (Customs and Excise) cadre presented their views and opinions at the meeting regarding the ‘Revenue Policy and Revenue Administration Ordinance, 2025’. Their concerns, suggestions and opinions were heard with due importance.