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Published : 29 Jun 2025, 10:34 PM
The National Board of Revenue (NBR) Reform Unity Council has announced the withdrawal of its ‘complete shutdown’ following appeals from top business leaders, citing the need to keep the country’s import-export flow and supply chain uninterrupted.
In a statement issued on Sunday night, the platform of tax officials said the decision was taken in view of “requests from the country’s leading business leaders” and “in consideration of national economic interest and public welfare”.
It also pledged to continue efforts towards “a complete and sustainable reform of the revenue system.”
The statement signed by the platform’s president and general secretary welcomed the discussion between the country’s business leaders and finance advisor to resolve the deadlock in import and export, alongside the broader economy caused by the council’s recent programmes—particularly the complete shutdown on Jun 28 and 29, it read.
The council says it has also received “positive commitments on several issues” following the meeting.
The NBR unity council also welcomed the government’s formation of a five-member advisory committee for revenue system reform. It believes the move will help the body to make contributions to “sustainable revenue reform”.
As part of a pre-announced programme demanding the removal of the NBR chairman, officers and staff from tax, VAT, and customs offices across the country began gathering outside the Revenue Bhaban, or NBR headquarters, in Dhaka’s Agargaon on Sunday morning.
After 9am, the entrance of the facility was blocked which led the protesters to begin their demonstration outside the building instead.
Since Thursday afternoon, law-enforcing agencies had been preventing access to the NBR premises, and Sunday was no exception. Security forces remained on high alert throughout the day.
Signs of a potential breakthrough emerged after noon following the announcement that a delegation of the protesters would head to the Secretariat to meet with Finance Advisor Salehuddin Ahmed. The meeting was scheduled for 4pm.
A list of the delegates attending the meeting was shared with the media by the council which also suspended its "March to NBR" programme ahead of the event.
The protesters said the "March to NBR" programme would remain suspended until the discussion with the advisor concluded. However, the "complete shutdown" would continue in the meantime.
However, the suspension of the march had little effect, as those planning to join the movement had already left. As a result, activities related to customs clearance, import and export remained effectively paralysed.
In response, the interim government adopted a stricter position.
The finance advisor later announced that no meeting with the protesting NBR officials would take place that day.
While en route to the Secretariat, the protest delegates reportedly turned back after learning that the meeting had been cancelled.
Meanwhile, the Chief Advisor’s Office warned of strict action if they do not return to work.
In a statement, the interim administration called on officials and employees to return to work immediately and refrain from activities that are against the law and national interests.
It said, “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.”
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.
