The NBR Reform Unity Council in a press release on Wednesday thanked all NBR employees and officials for their enthusiastic participation in the first day's event of the three- day pen down work abstention to protest split of the revenue authority.

In the press release the platform said relevant stakeholders also expressed solidarity with the movement.

The NBR Reform Unity Council, the press release said, has long been calling for a modern and sustainable reform of the national revenue system.

Officials have expressed deep concern over the recently promulgated  revenue ordinance, which they claim was imposed without consulting the thousands of officers and employees in the customs and taxation services—despite being key stakeholders in the reform process.

They also noted that the government-formed reform committee’s recommendations have not yet been made public or subjected to any meaningful discussion.

The council fears that implementing the ordinance without transparency or stakeholder engagement will lead to chaos within the revenue administration.

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In the press release, the NBR Reform Unity Council apologised to taxpayers and service seekers for any inconvenience caused.

The council emphasised that this temporary sacrifice is aimed at safeguarding the national interest and ensuring sustainable reform in the revenue system.

The protest action will continue on Thursday and Saturday from 10am to 3pm.

However, international passenger services, export operations, and national budget preparation activities will remain outside the purview of the strike to avoid disruption to essential services like today.

In a related development, the press release said, several key members of the BCS Customs and VAT Association—including the vice president, secretary general, treasurer, and joint secretary general—have resigned from the association’s executive committee in protest over institutional indifference to service-related issues and other concerns.

Similarly, office bearers of the BCS (Taxation) Association have also started resigning from their respective posts in phases, it claimed.

The growing unrest underscores the urgent need for the government to initiate an inclusive dialogue with all stakeholders to ensure meaningful and sustainable revenue reform.