KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) has directed the Customs Department to release the consignment of steel products on bank guarantees on a constitutional petition filed by M/s Steel Craft (Private) Limited, seeking release of its consignment.
While the hearing of the petition, a two-member bench, headed by Justice Munib Akhtar, also issued notices to the Customs Department and deputy attorney general, directing them to file their respective para wise comments on the next date of hearing.
After the arguments, the court passed order that “the petitioner shall pay to the department one-half of the regularity duty that has been imposed whereas for the other one-half the petitioner shall provide a security in terms of bank guarantee/ pay order”.
Earlier, counsel for the petitioner stated in its petition that it is engaged in the lawful business of import of steel products and in a rotten, petitioner imported a consignment of steel products and filed goods declaration, however, respondents imposed regularity duty on the same without approval of competent authority.
Citing Secretary Ministry of Finance, Chairman Federal Board of Revenue, Collector of Customs Collectorate Appraisement East as respondents, he pleaded the court to declare the act of the respondents is illegal, mala fide and arbitrary.
He also pleaded the court to direct them to release its consignment on bank guarantee/ pay order as court surety and restrain the customs department from taking any coercive action against the petitioner till final order in this petition.
