KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) has directed the petitioner to file a rejoinder on a constitutional petition filed by M/s Alfa Cargo Services, seeking restoration of its national tax number (NTN) seized 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 additional director, directorate general of transit trade filed para wise comments which was taken on record and the court directed the respondents to file the rejoinder on the next hearing. The court also adjourned the hearing for October 19, 2016.
In a reply, Fazal Dad Chudary, Deputy Director Directorate of Transit Trade Karachi informed the court that the petitioners assume the status of “principle” in terms of section 209 of the customs act, 1969, on the basis of the Afghan importers and cleared no less than 16 consignments, involving revenue to the tune of Rs. 56.62 million, however, despite the lapse of more than two years the petitioners has failed to submit the documents prescribed the rule 621 (a) (i) of the custom rules, 2001, since the petitioners has failed to make the payment or re-validate the guarantees, therefore, according to the expiry dated fed in the system, the weboc system has automatically blocked the NTN of the authorized person/ agent who executed the guarantee.
Earlier, counsel for the petitioner stated that petitioner is engaged in the business of customs clearing and forwarding business 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 Custom Model Custom Collectorate of Appraisement West and Chairman Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) as respondents, petitioner pleaded the court may restoration of its NTN.
