KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) directed customs officials to release the consignment of petitioner on pay order/bank guarantee on a constitutional petition filed by M/s Manzoor Sons seeking release order of its consignment of non-woven material fabric.
A two-member bench also warned the customs authorities that if order is not compiled by the concerned officials than the court may start contempt proceeding against them.
During hearing, the counsel for the petitioner stated that it is engaged in the lawful import of raw material for garment industry and manufacturing in the local markets. Counsel further stated that it imported non-woven material availing in exemption that was afforded vide SRO 1125(1)/2011 and no sales tax was applicable to the petitioner at the import stage.
Counsel argued that importer is aggrieved on the action of the customs officials whereby containers of non-woven material have not been allowed/cleared and have been held up by customs officials since March 15, 2018.
Citing Secretary Ministry Finance, Chairman Federal Board of Revenue, Chief Collector of Customs Collectorate East, West and Director Intelligence & Investigation-FBR as respondents, he pleaded the court to declare that act of the respondents as illegal, mala-fide and arbitrary. He also pleaded the court to direct them to release its consignment immediately.
