Gazette Declares NBR Jobs as Essential Services

The government issued a gazette on 30 June declaring all jobs under the National Board of Revenue (NBR) as “essential services.” This move follows the announcement made amid a complete shutdown by NBR officials.

The gazette states that all positions within customs houses, inland container depots (ICDs), container depots, and bonded warehouses are crucial for carrying out important state functions and managing the government’s financial system.

Citing authority under Section 3, Sub-section (1) of the Essential Services (Second) Ordinance, 1958, the government officially classified these roles as essential to ensure continuity in import-export and foreign trade operations.

In response to the declaration, the interim government urged officials and employees to return to work immediately and warned against any illegal or disruptive activities that could harm national interests. It also indicated that strict action would be taken if the protests continued, to protect the country’s economy and its people.

Following the government’s firm stance, NBR officials called off their protest, ending the strike that had brought export-import activities to a halt for two consecutive days due to suspended customs clearance at ports.