KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Friday directed petitioner to submit rejoinder on next date of hearing on a constitutional petition filed by M/s Usman Logistics Private Limited seeking restoration of its clearing agent license/NTN number user ID password blocked by customs officials due to allegedly involved in ISAF scam.
A two-member bench, headed by Justice Munib Akhtar, heard the matter. During the hearing, counsel for the petitioner sought time to file rejoinder, therefore, court granted time and adjourned the matter.
Earlier, counsel for the petitioner stated that the petitioner is being active as a clearing agent as well as customs private bonded carrier, petitioner is regularly and without fail has been submitting its goods declarations and monthly sales tax returns/income tax returns and never involved in a sales tax evasion or any criminal activities.
Counsel argued that it is seriously aggrieved by action of the respondents who issued notice to the petitioner and allegation was fixed that petitioner is involved in ISAF scam, and suspended its business license i.e customs private bonded carrier license/clearing agent license/ NTN number/ user ID password without fulfilling legal requirement and approval of competent authority.
Citing Chairman Federal Board of Revenue, Secretary Revenue Division, Collector of Customs Collectorate Appraisement West and others as respondents, petitioner stated that court may declare that act of the respondents as illegal, mala fide and arbitrary.
He also pleaded the court to restrain them from taking any coercive action against the petitioner and direct them to restore its NTN number immediately.
After the hearing, court issued notices and called comments from customs department and deputy attorney general for next date of hearing.
