KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) has issued notices to the Customs Department and deputy attorney general on a constitutional petition filed by M/s Izza Trading against enhancement of valuation of consignment of Quick Cooking Oats from $0.61 per kilogram to $2.08 per kilogram.
During the hearing of petition, a two-member bench, comprising Justice Munib Akhtar and Justice Omer Sial, also directed them to file their respective para wise comments on the next date of hearing.
Earlier, counsel for the petitioner stated that it imported a consignment of Quick Cooking Oats in raw form, unfinished, and unprepared and in bulk quantity. He filed the Goods Declaration according to the law. However, the petitioner was informed by the Customs Department that valuation of the goods had been enhanced from $0.61 per kilogram to $2.08 per kilogram.
He submitted that fixation of the above mentioned valuation without lawful authority and no legal effect, customs department adopted illegal way and importers have serious concern about act of the respondents, customs officials have no power to enhance such valuation without approval of high officials.
Citing Chairman Federal Board of Revenue, Secretary Ministry of Revenue, Chief Collector of Customs Collectorate Appraisement East and others as respondents, he pleaded the court to declare the act of the respondents as illegal, mala fide and arbitrary.
Petitioner also pleaded the court to restrain them from taking above enhancing the valuation and also restrain them from taking any coercive action against the petitioner till final order in this petition.
