KARACHI: A two-member bench directed terminal operator at Port Muhammad Bin Qasim DP World, QICT and called him in person for next date of hearing on a constitutional petition filed by several importers who imported used Hino trucks which were detained by customs officials due to disputed valuation.
On 23 September 2021, a two-member bench, comprising Justice Shafi Muhammad Siddiqui and Justice Agha Faisal heard the matter.
During the hearing, Sardar Muhammad Ishaque Advocate for petitioners. Kafeel Ahmed Abbasi Deputy Attorney General. Hussain Bohra Assistant Attorney General. Tariq Aziz Principle Appraiser Port Muhammad Bin Qasim appeared before the court.
After the hearing, court issued repeat notice to terminal operator at PMBQ, DP World, QICT.
During the hearing, petitioners namely Zahir Shah, Usman Ali, Naimat Khan, Miraj Gull, Muhammad Sadiq, Naveed Khan, Muhammad Amir, Nawaz Khan and others’ counsel states in his constitutional petition that petitioners are doing lawful business and during their course of business, imported used Hino trucks under personal baggage scheme and has never been indulged in activities in derogation of law.
Counsel added that after reaching of vehicles at port, petitioners filed goods declaration as per law, however, petitioners were shocked when they were informed by the customs officials that their imported vehicles’ valuation have been enhanced from US$ 4,000.00 to US$ 55,500.00 each and duty and taxes also were enhanced from Rs77, 853 to Rs10,80,214 each without lawful authority.
Citing Chairman Federal Board of Revenue, Collector of Customs Port Muhammad Bin Qasim and others as respondents, petitioners pleaded the court to declare that act of the respondents is illegal, mala fide and arbitrary.
Counsel pleaded the court to set aside impugned enhancement and directed them to release their imported vehicles and restrain them from taking any adverse action against the petitioner till final judgment in this petition as well.
