NBR suspends Chattogram Customs chief for defying orders, causing revenue loss
NN Online:
The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has suspended Md Zakir Hossain, Commissioner (in-charge) of Chattogram Custom House, for allegedly disregarding official directives, resulting in trade disruptions and significant losses in government revenue.
In a circular issued Monday (July 1), the NBR stated that Zakir Hossain failed to comply with an earlier directive dated June 18, 2025, which instructed all revenue offices—including Customs, VAT, and Income Tax—to remain open on June 21 and June 28 (both Saturdays) to facilitate revenue collection.
Despite the instruction, the Chattogram Custom House remained closed on June 28 (Saturday) and June 29 (Sunday), disrupting import-export operations and contributing to substantial financial losses.
Citing this violation, the NBR has suspended Zakir Hossain, stating that the suspension is effective immediately and issued “in the interest of public service.” During the suspension period, he will receive subsistence allowance as per government regulations, the order signed by NBR Chairman Md Abdur Rahman Khan confirmed.
This development comes amid widespread disruptions in revenue-related activities across the country, following an unprecedented shutdown of NBR offices due to protests by officials. From June 28 to 29, Customs, VAT, and Income Tax offices remained largely non-functional as part of a ‘complete shutdown’ and the ‘March for NBR’ protest programme.
The protests were led by the NBR Reform Unity Council, a coalition of revenue officials demanding the immediate removal of the NBR chairman. They cited allegations of administrative irregularities, intimidation of officers, and obstruction of reform efforts.
The movement intensified after a government ordinance issued on May 12 dissolved the NBR and the Internal Resources Division, replacing them with two new bodies: the Revenue Policy Division and the Revenue Management Division.
Since early June, officials have been observing work abstention programs, severely impacting services in tax, VAT, and customs offices nationwide.
