Operations Resume at Chattogram Port and ICD as Five-Member Advisory Committee Formed to Resolve Internal Crisis

In response to recent protests and mounting pressure, the National Board of Revenue (NBR) Reform Unity Council has officially withdrawn its complete shutdown program. The move comes after the government formed a five-member advisory committee and provided reassurances to address the ongoing internal crisis.

As of now, operations have resumed normally at the Chattogram Port and Inland Container Depots (ICD), where activities had been partially disrupted due to the protests.

Over the past several days, NBR officials and employees staged demonstrations demanding the resignation of the NBR chairman. The protests escalated into a full shutdown, significantly impacting revenue operations and causing concerns among businesses and port users.

To mitigate the situation, the government took swift action by forming an advisory committee led by Muhammad Fawzul Kabir Khan, Advisor to the Ministry of Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources. The committee includes representatives from key ministries, namely the Ministry of Housing and Public Works, the Ministry of Labour and Employment, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and the Ministry of Commerce.

According to an official press release issued by the Cabinet Division, the advisory body has been tasked with resolving the internal crisis at the NBR and ensuring a stable and functional revenue administration. The committee will engage with stakeholders, assess the underlying issues, and propose actionable reforms aimed at restoring confidence within the organization.

Business communities, who had expressed growing concern over the disruption of critical customs and revenue operations, welcomed the government’s move. Several trade leaders acknowledged that the swift formation of the advisory committee played a key role in reassuring both NBR staff and businesses, ultimately leading to the withdrawal of the shutdown program.

With the return to normalcy at major operational hubs, the government now faces the challenge of addressing the root causes of the unrest. Observers note that transparency, accountability, and structural reform within the NBR will be crucial to preventing similar crises in the future.

The NBR Reform Unity Council has indicated that while they have suspended the shutdown, they will continue to monitor the government's actions closely. If meaningful progress is not made in addressing their demands, they reserve the right to resume protests through democratic means.

This episode marks a critical juncture for Bangladesh’s revenue administration system, highlighting the importance of responsive governance and institutional reform to maintain trust and operational continuity.