Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed said that “it is never acceptable to completely halt all activities by going against national interests. The movement has happened. Now everyone should work properly without fear or bias.”
He made these remarks on Monday, June 30, at the Secretariat after inaugurating the Monitoring Cell program of the Finance Division, addressing National Board of Revenue (NBR) officials.
The Adviser stated that it was unacceptable for NBR officers to shut down port operations as part of their protest, which has caused significant damage to the country. “The movement has run its course. Now it is time for everyone to work correctly without fear or favoritism. If work is done transparently, no action will be taken against anyone,” he added.
On Sunday, June 29, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) launched an investigation against six NBR officers over allegations of accepting bribes to help taxpayers evade taxes.
Read More: Muradnagar Rape Case: Victim Wants to Withdraw Case
In this context, Salehuddin Ahmed clarified that the ACC initiated the investigation independently, not at the government’s directive.
He further commented that many say on talk shows that nothing is being done. But he would tell them, you need eyes to see. A building is not everything. Much work has been done behind the scenes. Many services are now available online. And just because the World Bank or IMF is assisting in some areas does not mean we are doing things their way. It is being done to meet our own needs.
Since May 12, NBR officials and employees had been staging protests over the implementation of the board’s reform initiatives, leading to a near-standstill in revenue collection. Eventually, on Sunday, June 29 night, the ‘NBR Reform Unity Council officially withdrew its previously declared shutdown program.
