Everyone expects appointment without lobbyingRumors of imminent reshuffle in NBR's Chairman

There has been a sudden buzz of change in the post of Chairman of the National Board of Revenue (NBR). Within two and a half months after taking office, the current government simultaneously reshuffled the top positions of 12 departments and 3 institutions on April 26. Immediately after this changes, there is an intense rumour spreading in all quarters about the upcoming change in the post of Chairman of the National Board of Revenue. In addition, this discussion has also become stronger due to some controversial activities of the NBR Chairman Md. Abdur Rahman Khan.

But the question arises as to why there is suddenly so much discussion about changing the NBR chairman post? Is it really necessary right now?

Many economists and analysts are skeptical about whether is it really necessary to reshuffle in NBR Chairman post, especially when this organization is busy preparing the budget for the next fiscal year to implement government's work plan.

Seeking answers to these questions, the country's leading financial and investigative news portal 'The Finance Today' has found several sources that are acting as the main catalysts behind the possible change in the position of Chairman of the National Board of Revenue (NBR).

Background

A section of NBR officials and employees, who had protested under the banner of the NBR Reform Unity Council last year, have expressed their 'lack of trust and confidence' in the current chairman Abdur Rahman Khan and demanded his removal. In addition, in protest against the transfer of the participants in the said movement, the officials and employees observed a pen strike and gave the chairman an ultimatum to resign. He was even declared 'undesirable' in the NBR.

On the other hand, there is also dissatisfaction among officials over his initiative to break up the National Board of Revenue (NBR) and create two separate departments called 'Revenue Policy' and 'Revenue Management'.

Such dissatisfaction has been fueled by allegations of secrecy over NBR reforms, unreasonable debates over revenue policy decisions, and information being withheld at the highest levels of the government.

NBR chairman Md. Abdur Rahman Khan.

Analysts also believe that Abdur Rahman Khan's personal irregularities, association with corrupt officials and abuse of power have fueled the fire of discontent.

It is worth noting that before becoming the chairman of the National Board of Revenue, Abdur Rahman, while holding a high position in the Ministry of Finance, used to provide benefits to some corrupt officials of a subordinate organization in exchange for financial transactions. The Finance Today will publish details of this in the future.

In such a situation, the possibility of major reshuffles at the top level of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) has been brought to the fore immediately after the next budget is prepared.

Potential candidate 

The discussion about the possibility of a change in the position of chairman of the National Board of Revenue and the importance of selecting a qualified person has expanded further in recent events.

According to the latest information from multiple sources, only one name is being discussed in the race to become the chairman of the NBR so far. He is former member of the National Board of Revenue MM Fazlul Haque. So far, no one other than him has expressed interest in taking over the post of chairman of the National Board of Revenue.

However, this discussion is not about Fazlul Haque's qualifications, but about lobbying, influence peddling, and the controversy surrounding his past activities. This is essentially the subject of today's report by The Finance Today.

Who is this MM Fazlul Haque?

Former member of the National Board of Revenue MM Fazlul Haque

NBR's Former member MM Fazlul Haque joined the government service in the 11th BCS (Trade) cadre but later rejoined in the 13th BCS (Tax) cadre.

During his long government career, he served as Commissioner in Chittagong Tax Region-4, Dhaka Tax Appeal Region-4 and Dhaka Tax Region-3. In addition, he served as Additional Tax Commissioner in Dhaka Tax Region-7 and Company Circle in Tax Region-2 for a long time. This high-ranking official of the tax administration retired on December 19, 2024.

Controversy

According to some reliable sources, MM Fazlul Haque was at the top of the list of 17 NBR officials that the Anti-Corruption Commission launched an investigation into allegations of undisclosed wealth and corruption in August 2025. He is also accused of helping some influential business groups evade large-scale taxes in exchange for bribes and harassing ordinary businessmen for personal gain. 

For the sake of the investigation, a travel ban has been issued for him in November 2025. Although the truth of these allegations of corruption has not yet been officially proven, relevant sources say that this investigation is ongoing.

Md. Akhtar Hossain; Ex-Director General of the ACC

When asked about this, the then Director General of the ACC, Md. Akhtar Hossain, said, "According to the ACC Act and ACC Rules, 17 officials were ordered to submit a statement of assets and liabilities in the prescribed form."

He further said, "Initial investigation revealed that the said officials have acquired assets in their own name or in the name of someone else and these assets are not consistent with their legitimate source of income. For this reason, the commission has initiated an investigation against them."

Accusations of influence peddling

There are allegations that he is actively lobbying to become the new chairman of the National Board of Revenue with the support of several powerful business groups.

The photo that has been circulated is being claimed by those concerned to have been taken during personal lobbying. However, no official statement has been received from Fazlul Haque regarding these claims.

The politics of lobbying and potential risks

Lobbying or pressure from private groups for important positions in the administration has been a topic of discussion for a long time. According to the concerned quarters, if a lobbying-based appointment process is established, transparency in the government's revenue administration will be damaged, the influence of the vicious circle will increase, and tax policy may become weak. As a result, the overall economic risk of the country may deepen.

What the government should do

The National Board of Revenue is the centerpiece of the government's economic stability. This institution is responsible for collecting the country's revenue, reforming the tax system, and ensuring transparency and accountability.

According to experts, such an important organization should be headed by an honest, dedicated, professional, and courageous person who is free from political and business pressure. In addition, a bureaucrat with long experience working in the revenue sector should be appointed.

The government has an opportunity to take the National Board of Revenue (NBR) forward in the right direction by appointing an official as its chairman.

Expectations

The country's revenue system needs strong leadership and credibility to address the current challenges. The administration and economists are hoping that the government, realizing the seriousness of the situation, will ignore all forms of lobbying and pressure and choose a truly qualified and reliable official as the next chairman of the National Board of Revenue.

Only the right leadership can bring the National Board of Revenue out of the cycle of corruption and inefficiency and move it forward on the path of economic prosperity. Without this, control of the NBR may fall into the hands of a vicious circle. Analysts have expressed fear that this will further intensify the existing crisis.