KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) has ordered the customs authorities to unblock the National Tax Number (NTN) of AK Fashion Apparel Industries.
The court gave this direction on the petition filed by AK Fashion Apparel Industries through which it moved the court against Pakistan Customs for blocking its NTN.
The petitioner’s counsel submitted that his client was alleged to have evaded custom duty and taxes amounting to Rs 6.997 million and subsequently legal proceedings were initiated against it. As a result, the custom adjudicating officer issued an Order-in-Original, directing the importer to make payment of evaded duty and taxes, redemption fine and Rs 500, 000 imposed as fine on it.
Subsequently, he said, the importer challenged the ONO before the Customs Appellate Tribunal and the appeal is yet to be heard. However, the customs authorities issued notice to the importer for recovery of the amount and blocked its NTN unlawfully.
When the matter is subjudice before the tribunal, the customs authorities cannot take any adverse action against the petitioner, argued the counsel requesting the court to order unblocking of its NTN so that it could resume its business activities.
The customs authorities submitted that the importer was involved in clearance of fabric imported from China by mis-declaring its quantity and value and claimed undue benefit of SRO 1125(I)/2011 and through Pak-China FTA under SRO 659(I)/2007.
