Interim govt to declare NBR operations as ‘essential service’ amid shutdown

The decision is made as talks with NBR protestors stall and critical trade operations hang in the balance

In a move to keep critical trade operations running and limit further disruption, the interim government has declared all National Board of Revenue (NBR) services “essential,” a designation that compels employees in key customs and tax roles to remain on duty even during protests or strikes.

The decision came through a formal statement from the Chief Advisor’s Office on Sunday.

“In the national interest of keeping vital import-export and foreign trade operations functional, the government has decided to declare all categories of employment under all customs houses, ICDs, bond commissionerates, and tariff stations, operating under the National Board of Revenue, as essential services,” the statement read.

Declaring a job or sector as an essential service means work in that area is considered critical for public welfare and must continue without interruption, even during strikes or emergencies.

This typically limits the right of workers in those services to strike or suspend work, and can compel them to return to duty to maintain vital functions.

The move follows the second straight day of a complete shutdown enforced by NBR officers and employees across all tax, VAT, and customs offices. They continued the “March to NBR” on Sunday, suspending the country’s critical trade operations.

Earlier in the day, Finance Advisor Salehuddin Ahmed said no meeting will be held with the protesting NBR officials.

Shortly after that statement, the government announced its decision to designate NBR services as essential.

Last month, an ordinance was issued dividing the NBR into two separate departments, Revenue Management and Revenue Policy. NBR officials launched a protest demanding the scrapping of the decision, including a pen-down protest.

The government backed down in the face of their protest. They said discussions would be held with NBR officials and employees to implement the ordinance.

Even after they rejoined work, the protesters remained steadfast in demanding the resignation of the NBR chairman and declared him “undesirable”.

Later, the NBR chairman returned to the office under tight security from the Army and law-enforcing agencies.

When he returned to the office, Rahman issued “stand releases” to some of the protesting officials and did not allocate rooms for them to hold seminars. This led to the officials distancing themselves from him on various issues.

On Sunday, the Chief Advisor’s Office said the biggest constraint to implementing a development-oriented budget is the country's weak revenue collection system.

“Our revenue collection remains far below what the state requires,” the statement read. “The core reason is a flawed, irregular, and corruption-ridden tax administration. In light of this, the interim government has decided to restructure the NBR, in consultation with all relevant stakeholders.”

The government voiced “deep concern” over the actions of a section of NBR officials and staff who, it said, have been obstructing revenue activities under the guise of protest.

“For the past two months, these officials have unjustifiably and unethically disrupted the country’s trade, import-export, and revenue operations in an unprecedented manner,” the statement said. “This so-called movement has caused severe public hardship and is completely unacceptable.”

It accused the protesters of impeding revenue collection during the final two months of the fiscal year at a time when mobilisation is typically most critical.

“This so-called movement is premeditated and malicious,” the statement declared, “and stands in direct contradiction to the national interest and citizens’ rights.”

Despite repeated calls for dialogue and clear statements from the government indicating a willingness to consider their demands, the protesting officials “refused to engage”, the statement added.

“Instead of seeking an acceptable solution through discussion, they have adopted an inflexible stance that continues to inflict damage on the national economy.”

The government has now urged all officials and employees to return to work without delay and abandon what it termed as unlawful and destructive activities.

“Otherwise,” the statement warned, “the government will be compelled to take strict measures to protect the people and the national economy.”