Punishments of 21 NBR officials withdrawn

The government has withdrawn disciplinary punishments imposed on 21 National Board of Revenue (NBR) officials over their participation in a protest against the board’s proposed reforms during the interim government.

The Internal Resources Division (IRD) issued a gazette notification on Sunday (September 6) formally withdrawing the penalties.

The officials were among 24 NBR employees for whom the government had earlier initiated a process to remit disciplinary punishments. Of them, 14 belonged to the Income Tax cadre and 10 to the Customs, Excise and VAT cadre.

According to NBR sources, disciplinary action against 21 of the 24 officials has so far been withdrawn. Gazettes for 10 officials had been issued by Sunday morning.

The officials staged protests in May 2025 against a government plan to split the NBR into two separate divisions. Several participants were suspended during the movement and later faced minor disciplinary penalties.

The officials subsequently sought remission of their punishments from the President.

The latest decision effectively reverses the disciplinary measures taken against the officials over their participation in the anti-reform protest.