The ongoing shutdown at the National Board of Revenue (NBR) will continue through Sunday, as part of the “Shutdown and March to NBR” campaign led by the NBR Reform Unity Council.
Protesters have reiterated their willingness to engage in dialogue with the government, but insist that any talks must follow the removal of the current NBR chairman.
The announcement was made at a press conference held Saturday afternoon by the president of the NBR Reform Unity Council, Hasan Muhammad Tareq Rikabdar.
He emphasized that with the current chairman in office, meaningful revenue reform—as outlined in the government’s May 25 press statement—is not possible. He accused the chairman of advancing the agenda of a specific group aligned with authoritarian interests.
While international passenger services will remain operational, all other functions at the NBR headquarters and across customs offices, including Chattogram Port, Benapole, and Dhaka Customs House, are suspended.
Protesters have blocked access to and from NBR buildings, bringing revenue-related operations to a complete standstill and halting customs clearance for both imports and exports nationwide.
In the press briefing, Rikabdar further alleged that the current NBR chairman ranks third on a list of 44 civil servants identified as enforcers of the deposed regime’s agenda, six of whom have already been placed on mandatory retirement. He warned that the chairman`s actions are destabilizing and obstructive to the reform process.
The Council also accused the NBR leadership of retaliatory transfers and administrative harassment against officers who played active roles in the reform movement.
According to the statement, between June 21 and 22, several officers were abruptly transferred to less significant offices outside Dhaka, without the usual notice period, which they described as a violation of civil service rules.
Rikabdar characterized these measures as part of a broader pattern of intimidation and manipulation intended to sabotage efforts for revenue reform.
He condemned the NBR chairman’s actions as vindictive and detrimental to the integrity of the national revenue system.
Despite the pressure, protesters affirmed their commitment to continuing the shutdown until their demands are addressed.
