KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) has issued notices to the the customs officials and deputy attorney general on a constitutional petition filed by M/s Bashir Pipe Industries (Private) Limited against SRO No 1035/2017 over imposition of regular duty on imports of various items, including steel sheets and the similar goods.
While the hearing of the petition, a two-member bench, headed by Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi, also directed them to file their para wise comments on the next date of hearing.
Earlier, counsel for the petitioner stated that he is engaged in the lawful business of import of steel sheets and other similar goods.
He submitted that Secretary Revenue Division issued notification dated 16/8/2017 being SRO 1035/2017 in supersession of review SRO and in purported exercise of power under section 18 (3) of the Customs Act, 1969 imposed a regular duty on imports of various items including steel sheets and others similar goods illegally.
Citing Secretary Revenue Division and Statistics/ Chairman Federal Board of Revenue, Collector of Model Customs Collectorate Appraisement East, Collector of Model Customs Collectorate Appraisement West as respondents, he pleaded the court to declare that act of the respondents as illegal, mala fide and arbitrary.
He also pleaded the court may set aside impugned SRO and restrain them from taking any coercive action against the petitioner till final order in this petition.
