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However, the process used to implement the reform is less than convincing.

We suffered for a long time under the ousted regime of the Awami League, during which certain segments captured policies that did not adhere to the principles of transparency and accountability. It is essential that any reform implemented during the interim government, in which we have high hopes, does not follow the same path.

Such a significant reform initiative, which involves both institutional and legal changes to a critical government agency responsible for a substantial portion of domestic resources, demands broader consultations with multiple stakeholders and must be conducted transparently.

Let us recall that a similar administrative approach was taken in 2008 by the then caretaker government, which did not succeed due to a lack of political buy-in. This reform attempt has to be successful.

The current situation is certainly an embarrassing one for the interim government. The “pen-down” action taken by NBR officials is undermining the government’s efforts to revive the economy. A more effective strategy for moving forward should involve broader consultations conducted transparently, including all relevant government parties, the advisory committee, business leaders, experts, and political parties. Political groups will play a crucial role in advancing any reform process in the future.

It’s important to remember that if we had a functioning parliament at this time, there would likely be opportunities to discuss these issues. The authorities must recognise that while the current interim government was not formed through an election, they are in power due to a mass uprising that underscores the need for democratic accountability.

This situation may also be symptomatic for (larger) future reforms as well. Surely, major political parties need to own this reform. In this spirit, I hope the issue will be positively resolved at the soonest.

The writer is a senior research fellow at the Centre for Policy Dialogue.