Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed has invited the representatives of the BCS (Tax) and BCS (Customs and Excise) cadres for a meeting on Thursday to discuss the prevailing situation surrounding the National Board of Revenue (NBR).
According to a press release issued by the Ministry of Finance, the meeting is scheduled for 5 pm at the Finance Adviser’s office in the Secretariat.
This development comes amid ongoing agitation by NBR officials and employees under the banner of the NBR Reform Unity Council. Since June 22, the council has resumed its protest programs, including pen-down strikes and sit-in demonstrations, for the second time, reiterating their demands regarding the recently issued Revenue Policy and Revenue Management Ordinance, 2025.
“The government hopes that through this discussion, it will be possible to resolve all misunderstandings and reach consensus-based amendments to the ordinance by July 31, 2025,” the Finance Ministry said in its statement.
The Finance Adviser has urged all NBR officers and staff to remain at their respective workplaces and focus on revenue collection during the closing days of the 2024-25 fiscal year.
The press release also outlined the background to the reforms, noting that civil society members, economists, business leaders, and development partners have long recommended separating revenue policy formulation from implementation to enhance efficiency.
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Recognising the importance of the issue, the interim government formed an advisory committee on NBR reform on October 9, 2024. Following its recommendations, the Advisory Council gave in-principle approval on January 16, 2025, to separate policy and operational functions of the revenue administration.
Subsequently, members of the BCS (Customs and Excise) and BCS (Tax) cadres, under the guidance of their respective association leaders and in consultation with various stakeholders, drafted the Revenue Policy and Revenue Management Ordinance, 2025 and submitted it to the NBR Chairman in early March.
The ordinance, revised and approved by the President, was formally promulgated on May 12, 2025. But, the move sparked strong opposition from within the NBR, prompting widespread protests and calls for its cancellation.
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In response, a meeting chaired by the Finance Adviser was held on May 20 with 13 representatives of the NBR Reform Unity Council. It was agreed in that meeting that necessary amendments would be made in consultation with all stakeholders, including the Revenue Reform Committee.
Although the agitation was briefly suspended following the Finance Adviser’s assurance in a May 25 press release, protests resumed on June 22 over concerns regarding the pace and scope of the promised amendments.