KARACHI: The Sindh High Court removed a six-year-long injunction on customs duty on wheat imports.
On 17 September 2021, a two-member bench comprising Justice Muhammad Shafi Siddiqui and Justice Agha Faisal was hearing a set of pleas pertaining to customs duty on wheat imports.
The Customs counsel contended that wheat importers caused hefty losses to the national exchequer by avoiding import duty. The bench observed that departmental action was taken against Customs staff and the importers were issued show cause notices. Six of the petitioners – importers – had acquired a stay from the court. The stay order has been upheld for six years and has given rise to complications. The court sought replies from the importers and directed them to participate in the proceedings.
The bench set aside the six-year-long stay order and stated that the importers could approach the court again to resolve the issue on merit if they have any objections. The government had imposed 20 per cent duty on wheat imports in 2015. Eight importers were accused of misrepresenting the date of the shipments arrival in connivance with the Customs staff to forgo payment of import duty.
