The interim government on Sunday issued a strong warning saying authorities would have to take strong measures if a section of NBR officials continue to threaten the national economy with their protests against proposed reforms in the tax regulator.

Amid the deteriorating economic environment spurred by the NBR protests, the government announced all the operations under NBR as essential services and asked all absentee officials to return to duties, the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing said in a statement.

In the state statement the government said it has decided to split the NBR into two entities with a view to improving the woefully low tax collection rate, and checking the rampant irregularities as well as corruption hindering adequate tax collection.

However, the government has observed some NBR officials have been “unethically” disrupting the country’s business activities, foreign trade and revenue collection for the past two months in the name of protests.

The “so-called” movement is “ill-intended” and is a gross violation of national interests and people’s rights. The government has specifically called for addressing the protesters’ grievances, and invited them to dialogue.

However, instead of alleviating the crisis through talks, the protesters have adopted an “uncompromising” approach, thereby continuing to harm the national economy, the government said, warning of strict measures if the disruptions are continued.