HC issues rule over Ibn Sina's 'muslim men only' recruitment notice

The High Court has issued a rule asking why a job circular published by Ibn Sina Pharmaceutical Industry seeking applications exclusively from practising Muslim men for executive and senior executive posts should not be declared illegal.

In the same rule, the court also sought to know why directives should not be issued to formulate and implement non-discriminatory recruitment policies across both public and private workplaces. Simultaneously, the government has been instructed to investigate the recruitment notice and take appropriate legal and administrative action.

The order came today (23 February) from a High Court bench comprising Justice Ahmed Sohel and Justice Fatema Anwar following a public interest writ petition. Barrister Sara Hossain appeared for the petitioner and later confirmed the matter to the media.

On 26 January, Ibn Sina Pharmaceutical Industry published a recruitment notice inviting applications for executive and senior executive positions, specifying that only male and Muslim candidates were eligible. Terming the conditions discriminatory, lawyer Anamika Nahrin filed the writ petition in the public interest.

Speaking to reporters, Barrister Sara Hossain said the court, alongside issuing the rule, passed interim directions asking the government to: (1) investigate the circular and take necessary administrative and legal steps to withdraw the discriminatory conditions; (2) take measures to formulate and implement policies ensuring non-discriminatory recruitment; and (3) submit a compliance report to the court within three months outlining the actions taken.

Lawyers concerned said the rule also asked the relevant government authorities and Ibn Sina officials to explain why the impugned circular should not be declared a violation of the constitutional principle of non-discrimination in employment on the grounds of gender and religion.