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The move was being considered a part of a broader reform package aimed at boosting tax collection, one of the key conditions by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for its ongoing $4.7 billion loan deal.

In response, NBR officials staged protests and work stoppages until May 26.

They postponed the demonstration after the government pledged not to dissolve the NBR but to upgrade it into an independent, specialised agency. Authorities also promised to review and amend the ordinance in this regard.

Since then, however, revenue officials have complained of being excluded from the review process. They allege that key protest figures have been subjected to vengeful transfers and harassment.

The council has also accused the NBR chairman of “trying to destabilise” both the revenue system and the country.

“The expected NBR reform is not possible under the current NBR chairman, as he won’t let it happen,” said Sehela Siddiqua, general secretary of the council, on Monday.

NBR Chairman Md Abdur Rahman Khan rejected the allegations but did not comment further.