Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed is scheduled to meet with officials of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) on Tuesday, 20 May, to discuss ongoing reform issues.
The meeting will take place at 3:30 PM at the finance ministry, according to NBR’s Public Relations Officer, Al Amin Sheikh.
The NBR Reform Unity Council held a six-hour pen-down strike on Sunday, demanding inclusive and sustainable reforms of the revenue system.
Their key demands include the immediate withdrawal of the proposed Revenue Ordinance, public release of the NBR Reform Advisory Committee’s report, and meaningful engagement with stakeholders—such as NBR officials, business leaders, civil society, and political representatives—during the reform process.
The council emphasized its willingness to resolve the issue through dialogue. In a statement, it said, “Our door for discussions has always been open and will remain open.”
A five-hour strike was also observed the previous day, with widespread participation across Customs, VAT, and Tax departments, including NBR offices.
Officials and employees across all ranks joined the protest, drawing support from various stakeholder groups.
The council stressed that reforming the revenue system is crucial for the national interest and noted that NBR officials have long pushed for these changes.
However, the recent ordinance was issued without consulting the officials responsible for its implementation. Additionally, the government has yet to publish or discuss the reform committee’s report.
They warned that a top-down reform approach, without stakeholder involvement, could lead to serious disruptions in the country’s revenue administration.
