NBR unity council calls off shutdown protest

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) Reform Unity Council on Sunday withdrew its ‘complete shutdown’ and ‘march for NBR’ programme.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) Reform Unity Council on Sunday withdrew its ‘complete shutdown’ and ‘march for NBR’ programme.

The unity council President Hasan Muhammad Tareq Rikabdar announced the decision after holding a meeting with leading businesspeople, UNB reports.

Meanwhile, the government has formed a five-member adviser-level committee to suggest ways to resolve the stalemate centring the reforms in NBR, Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed said the same day.

He said the committee will hold discussions with relevant stakeholders and review proposals to reform the revenue board.

Earlier on Sunday, the interim government also warned that it would be compelled to be tough to protect the country’s economy and the interests of its people if the officials and employees of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) do not return to their work.

“We hope that the officials and employees will return to work immediately and refrain from illegal and destructive activities against national interests. Otherwise, the government will be compelled to turn tough to protect the people and the economy of the country,” said the government in a statement shared by the Chief Adviser’s press wing.

The government, according to the statement, has also decided to declare all categories of jobs under customs houses, ICDs, bond commissionerates and customs stations, under the jurisdiction of the NBR, as ‘Essential Services’ to ensure uninterrupted import-export and foreign trade activities in the national interest.