KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) directed customs officials to make sure filing of their comments on next date of hearing on a petition filed by M/s Awais seeking release of grey fabric seized by the customs officials in a raid due to alleged illegal import.
On September 18, 2018, a two-member bench, headed by Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi, heard the matter. During the hearing, counsel for the customs department filed undertake and sought time to submit comments.
During the hearing, counsel for the petitioner stated in its petition that petitioner is lawfully engaged in the business of manufacturing of textile material and purchases raw material from local importers.
He argued that petitioner purchased grey fabric from various importers which were bought and imported fully legally by the importers and stored in his godown.
He said that officials of the customs department raided its godown and seized the entire goods without legal authority. He argued that he was not informed by the customs officials why did they raid and seize his goods.
Citing Chairman Federal Board of Revenue, Director, Director General of Intelligence & Investigation, Deputy Director General of Intelligence and Investigation and others 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 his goods immediately and restrain them from taking any coercive action against the petitioner till final order in its petition.
