KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) directed customs department to file their comprehensive para wise comments and act strictly accordance with law on a petition filed by M/s Decent Enterprises against suspension of its customs clearing & forwarding agents’ license suspended by customs department due to its involvement in NATO/ISAF Scam.
On April 12, 2019, a two-member bench, headed by Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi was hearing the matter.
During the hearing, counsel for the petitioner stated in his petition that petitioner is sole proprietorship which is engaged in business of customs clearing & forwarding agents, and carries an unblemished record in the local and international markets.
Counsel argued that on April 8, 2010 and April 21, 2010 investigation and prosecution branch of Peshawar Customs lodged two FIRs bearing no 40/2010 respectively against the petitioner as well as NCL being bounded career or importer of luner products/ ISAF Kabul Afghanistan while leveling allegations against them for miss-declaration of goods at Karachi by manipulating the documents and actual goods were subsequently offloaded en-route the destination port/ station.
Petitioner further prayed that on a show cause notice, license of the petitioner was suspended/ blocked by the high officials of the customs department another side interim charge sheet has been submitted before concern court of law but still charge could not frame against the petitioner as such trail court still not commence and in this situation there is no chance of conclusion of trail in near future.
Citing sectary Revenue Divison, Chief Collector of Customs Appraisement South, additional collector/ licensing authority and others as respondents, petitioner pleaded the court may declare that act of the respondents is illegal, mala fide and arbitrary and no legal effect.
Counsel also pleaded the court may direct them to activate the license of the petitioner and restrain them from taking any coercive action against the petitioner till final order in this petition.
