The High Court on Monday issued a rule asking the government to explain why its failure to regulate recruitment practices that discriminate on the grounds of gender and religion should not be declared unlawful and in violation of the petitioner’s constitutionally guaranteed fundamental rights, and why it should not be directed to ensure that all public and private workplaces adopt non-discriminatory recruitment guidelines. The writ was filed by advocate Anamika Nahrin following the publication of a job circular dated 26 January 2026 by IBN SINA Pharmaceutical Industry PLC for the post of Executive/Senior Executive (Legal Affairs), which restricted applications to “male” and “practising Muslim” candidates only. In the petition, the petitioner contended that excluding candidates solely on the basis of gender and religion for a position involving legal and compliance functions is arbitrary, unreasonable and unrelated to the nature of the post. The rule and directions were issued by a High Court Division bench comprising Justice Ahmed Sohel and Justice Fatema Anwar. Senior advocates Sara Hossain and Dr Sharif Bhuiyan, along with advocates Karishma Jahan and Priya Ahsan Chowdhury, appeared for the petitioner.

Source: Dhaka Tribune February 23, 2026 14:53 UTC