KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) sought comments from the tax authorities on a constitutional petition filed by M/s Alfa Cargo Services, seeking restoration of its national tax number (NTN) blocked by customs authorities.
A two-member bench, comprising Justice Munib Akhtar and Justice Saeeduddin Nasir, was hearing the constitutional petition.
During the hearing, counsel for the collector of Customs Appraisement West sought time to submit para-wise comments, therefore, the court granted him time and adjourned the hearing.
Earlier, counsel for the petitioner stated that petitioner is engaged in the business of customs clearing and forwarding and is holding national tax number (NTN). Counsel argued that the goods by the importer based in Afghanistan are handled and dealt with under the Transit Trade Agreement 2010 and SRO 601 (1) 2011 dated 13/06/2011 and petitioner’s company has always discharge its functions honestly and in accordance with the statutory provisions of law.
Counsel informed the court that petitioner is aggrieved by the action being initiated by the additional director Directorate General of Transit Trade dated 22/11/2015 and petitioner’s company has been blocked on the basis of arbitrary and illegal contention that the petitioner had failed to provide duplicate and quadruplicate copies of good declaration, mate receipt, endorsement of cross boarder certificate and T-1 document of Pakistan custom on behalf of Afghan importer for revalidation or release of insurance guarantee (IGS).
He further argued that due to said illegal blocking of NTN by the respondents, the petitioner is suffering huge financial losses and various consignments of Afghan importer are lying the port.
Citing Additional Director Directorate General of Transit Trade, collector of Customs Appraisement West and Chairman Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) as respondents, petitioner pleaded the court may restoration of its NTN.
