“High Court Delays Ruling on NBR Restructuring Petition”

The High Court postponed the hearing of a legal petition contesting the government’s move to divide the functions of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) and establish two new divisions. Justices Razik-Al-Jalil and Md Anowarul Islam adjourned the session for two weeks without issuing a ruling on the government’s action. Barrister Md Omar Farouq, representing the NBR, mentioned that the court delayed the hearing due to the upcoming commencement of a new parliamentary session, which might address the relevant ordinance related to the NBR’s restructuring. The government had issued an ordinance on May 12 last year to split the NBR’s policymaking responsibilities and create the Revenue Policy Division and Revenue Management Division. Tanvir Ahmed, a joint secretary at the Cabinet Division, lodged the petition with the High Court on February 2 this year, questioning the legality of the ordinance. Farouq contended that the petition was unfounded, asserting that a government official cannot legally challenge a government decision by filing a writ petition in the High Court. Barrister Fida M Kamal represented the petitioner in the court session.