NBR called off protests following government talks: Finance Ministry

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) and the government have taken three significant decisions, including the withdrawal of the ongoing ‘March to NBR’ program, aimed at resolving the stalemate caused by the NBR Reform Unity Council’s protests.

The decisions came after a two-and-a-half-hour meeting on Thursday between the Finance Adviser, the NBR Chairman, and its members. The Ministry of Finance confirmed the outcomes through a press release on Friday night.

The meeting addressed the ongoing agitation by the NBR Reform Unity Council, which had called for a ‘Complete Shutdown’ and organized the ‘March to NBR’ movement. Attendees included senior officials such as the Finance Adviser, Finance Secretary, Secretary of the Financial Institutions Division, NBR Chairman, and sixteen members of the council.

Following thorough discussions, the following decisions were made:

The NBR Reform Unity Council’s ‘Complete Shutdown’ and ‘March to NBR’ programs will be withdrawn.

Two recently issued officer transfer orders by the NBR will be reviewed.

A meeting is scheduled for next Tuesday at 4 PM to discuss amendments to the Revenue Policy and Revenue Management Ordinance, 2025, involving the NBR Reform Unity Council, the Advisory Committee on NBR Reform, and NBR members.

The government expressed optimism that the necessary amendments to the ordinance will be finalized by July 31 based on these discussions.

With the withdrawal of the protest movement, normalcy is expected to return to the country’s business, trade, import-export activities, and public services. The government has directed all NBR officials and staff to resume their duties immediately.