The Sindh High Court has rejected a petition filed by renowned Pakistani fashion designer Nomi Ansari in a major tax fraud case, clearing the way for a trial on allegations of large-scale sales concealment and tax evasion. The court ruled that the matter must proceed through the standard judicial process rather than being halted through constitutional intervention.
According to the order, the case does not qualify as an extraordinary matter requiring direct relief from the high court. Judges observed that Ansari continues to retain legal options under the relevant framework, including applying for acquittal before the trial court, but his petition to dismiss proceedings before trial was dismissed.
The decision follows months of legal developments in an investigation initiated by the Federal Board of Revenue. In April 2025, authorities leveled criminal charges against Ansari and three associates, alleging that they concealed more than Rs1.3 billion in sales between 2018 and 2025, resulting in tax liability exceeding Rs1.2 billion once penalties and surcharges were assessed.
Investigators say the case emerged after forensic analysis of filings suggested that reported sales did not match actual purchasing volumes or market activity. The discrepancies prompted a series of raids on business sites in February 2025, where officials seized paper records, bank slips, remittance data and digital accounting files.
Authorities allege that the designer maintained two sets of accounting books, one accurately recording revenue and a second used for tax filing purposes. The investigation also focused on international revenue routes, including wholesale orders processed through business partners and foreign payments allegedly cleared via informal channels to avoid visibility.
No arrests were made during the raids, and Ansari obtained protective bail earlier this year, allowing him to contest the charges while retaining mobility. His legal team has alleged procedural violations, abuse of authority and misinterpretation of business documentation, insisting that the charges reflect misreading rather than fraud.
Tax officials counter that the scale of discrepancies, combined with evidence recovered during raids, justified prosecution and strengthened the state’s case for criminal liability. They argue that the investigation demonstrates a pattern of deliberate concealment rather than clerical oversight.
Nomi Ansari is regarded as one of Pakistan’s most influential fashion designers, widely known for statement bridal wear and distinctive embroidery. He launched his brand in 2012 and has built a reputation for elaborate design, frequent celebrity collaborations and international showcases.
His commercial success helped shape Karachi’s fashion identity, while his workshops have been celebrated for craftsmanship and textile innovation. The case now places his business operations under unprecedented scrutiny, raising questions about accounting practices in a luxury sector that has historically operated with little regulatory oversight.
With the rejection of his petition, the matter shifts to trial, where both sides will present evidence on one of the most prominent tax cases involving a Pakistani fashion house.
