Govt to consider NBR officials’ concerns

The government will duly consider demands from protesting officials of the National Board of Revenue (NBR), who have been observing a pen-down strike since the interim government passed an ordinance aimed at dissolving the revenue board on May 12.

The assurance came following a meeting at the Secretariat between NBR officials and three government advisers, after which the finance ministry issued a statement.

The dialogue took place in the wake of five days of pen-down strikes observed by NBR officials across the country under the banner of the "NBR Reform Unity Council" to stop the government from splitting the NBR into two separate entities: the Revenue Policy Division and the Revenue Administration Division.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed said the separation of functions within the NBR would remain unchanged.

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However, he noted that the concerns raised by officials would be taken into account when the government issues the notification under the new ordinance.

He also announced there would be no further formal meetings with NBR officials on this issue. "NBR officials can raise their concerns through the advisory committee, which has been formed earlier to reform the NBR," he said.

However, the NBR officials were 'unhappy', saying the finance adviser was rigid about not repealing the ordinance.

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"Out of 17 participants, only a few officials had the chance to speak. We were almost cornered during the meeting. It was disappointing and unproductive," said one of the protesting officials.

"We haven't finalised our next course of action yet," he added.

The protestors were engaged in a meeting among themselves to plan their next course of action when this report was filed.

Protesting officials and employees issued a three-point demand, including the repeal of a new ordinance on restructuring the revenue administration. The other demands are the public disclosure of a state advisory committee's report on reforms required for the NBR, which was submitted to the finance ministry, and inclusive, consultative and sustainable reforms for the revenue administration.