A major uncertainty has emerged over the government’s plan to dissolve the National Board of Revenue (NBR) and create two separate divisions named Revenue Policy and Revenue Implementation. Although the Administrative Reorganization Implementation Committee, chaired by the Chief Adviser, approved the proposal on January 20, no gazette notification has been issued to set an effective date. Officials expressed concern that the absence of such a notification has stalled the process, with administrative reluctance reportedly growing amid an election atmosphere and anticipation of a new government.

An NBR official said the necessary administrative cooperation was lacking, pushing the initiative into uncertainty. The interim government’s Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed and NBR Chairman Abdur Rahman Khan had earlier stated that the restructuring would be completed by mid-February, but that timeline has not been met. The reform process had already faced strong internal resistance, including strikes and protests by NBR staff, leading to disciplinary actions and investigations.

Officials now doubt whether the incoming government will implement the plan, as policy priorities may differ. Some believe donor pressure, including IMF loan conditions, could influence the eventual decision.