KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) passed an interim order and restored the NTN of M/s S.M Enterprises blocked by customs officials due to an alleged involvement in the tax evasion.
A two-member bench, headed by Justice Munib Akhtar, heared the petition.
After the arguments, the court passed the provisional order for de-blocking the NTN with immediate effect. The court also adjourned the matter for September 22, 2017.
Earlier, counsel for the petitioner stated that he is engaged in the lawful manufacturing of intravenous infusions. He informed the court that petitioner regularly imports raw material from different countries.
According to the petitioner, it imported raw material and filed goods declaration according to the law, however he was informed by the officials of the Customs Department that his National Tax Number has been blocked. He further argued that his NTN was blocked illegally as he was not served any notice according to law procedure therefore act of the respondents is illegal and mala fide.
Citing to Chairman Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), Collector of Customs Air Freight Unit, Collector of Customs Model Customs, Collectorate Appraisement and others as respondents, the petitioner pleaded with the court to kindly declare the act of the respondents illegal, mala fide and arbitrary.
He also pleaded with the court to kindly direct the customs officials to restore its NTN immediately and restrain them from taking any coercive measures without permission of the court.
