Staff Reporter :
For the fourth consecutive day, officials and employees of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) continued their pen-down strike, demanding, among other things, the removal of NBR Chairman Abdur Rahman Khan. The protest has significantly disrupted tax collection and customs operations, causing delays and uncertainty for businesses.
The demonstration, organized under the banner of the NBR Reform Unity Council, began at 12pm in front of the NBR headquarters in Agargaon, Dhaka. A heavy presence of law enforcement-including police, army, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB)-was deployed to maintain order during the protest.
Protesting officials alleged that no one was allowed to enter or leave the building during the demonstration, with employees physically blocking the main entrances.
At around 1:30pm, Council President Hasan Muhammad Tarek Rikabdar, also an additional commissioner, attempted to enter the NBR building but was stopped by security personnel. In response, he staged a sit-in at the gate, intensifying the protest.
When reached for comment, Asif Mahmud, assistant commissioner of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Tejgaon Division, stated that the protesters themselves were restricting access, while law enforcement was there solely to maintain security.
In an effort to ease tensions, Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed extended an invitation for dialogue. However, the council rejected it, claiming the offer was unofficial. Instead, they announced a fresh programme, titled March to the NBR, scheduled for June 28.
Meanwhile, NBR Chairman Abdur Rahman Khan acknowledged the strain caused by the ongoing protests. Speaking at an event hosted by the Economic Reporters’ Forum (ERF), he admitted that revenue collection has been “hampered to some extent” due to the strike.
Despite the disruption, Khan expressed optimism that dialogue could pave the way for resolution. “Our adviser has already committed to an amendment by July, and a meeting is scheduled for 5pm today. We hope for a positive outcome,” he said.
He also urged all parties to consider the broader impact of their actions: “Whether it’s reforms, legislation, or protest, it should ultimately serve the national interest-not just individual gain.”
