NBR staff to observe pen-down strike again on Monday

Officials and employees of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) across the country will observe a three-hour work stoppage and pen-down strike on Monday from 9 am to 12 pm.

The announcement was made on Saturday afternoon at a press conference organised by the NBR Reform Unity Council at the NBR headquarters in the capital’s Agargaon.  

The council, at today's press conference, demanded the immediate removal of the NBR Chairman, alleging that his actions have only delayed the revenue reform process. It had earlier declared the chairman 'persona non grata' at the NBR headquarters.

The NBR Reform Unity Council further stated that the committee formed by the NBR on June 19 to amend revenue ordinances must include proper representation from the NBR Reform Unity Council.

The six-member committee, comprising officials from the tax, customs, and VAT wings of the NBR, was formed without consulting or including any representatives from the reform council.

The council also accused the NBR Chairman of questioning the council’s legitimacy and existence in various meetings and public statements, describing his remarks as provocative.

On May 12, the government issued an ordinance to divide the NBR into two separate entities.

In response, officials from the customs, VAT, and income tax wings of the NBR have been staging protests against the decision.