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Khan said the government had since lost trust in those officials and that they must now prove their worth.

“They must regain that confidence through better revenue collection and improved trade facilitation, which would help ease container congestion at ports and speed up the clearance of goods,” he said.

Business representatives, meanwhile, reported significant economic losses during the recent protests by the NBR officials and alleged that harassment by customs and VAT authorities persists.

Khan added that many in the business community had questioned the government’s delay in taking action. “The government has shown extraordinary patience because it wants to proceed democratically.”

Asked whether the government would offer NBR officials any assurance that no disciplinary measures would follow, the adviser replied, “There is nothing to reassure.”

“The movement went on for two months, and the government did not intervene. These officials are not children. We tried to reassure them that their concerns would be taken into account,” he said.

The strike, he added, had harmed exporters and importers and caused a loss of state revenue. “This is not a private enterprise. There has to be accountability.” “Such actions carry consequences. The economy has suffered. Exports have suffered,” he said.

Industries Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan and Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan were also present.