KARACHI: A two-member bench of the Sindh High Court (SHC) granted urgent application on a constitutional petition filed by M/s N.P Cotton Mills Limited against detention of imported 303 bales of Zimbabwe Raw Cotton detained by customs officials.
On 28 January 2022, during the hearing, Imran Iqbal Advocate appeared before the court and argued that matter is on urgent basis, therefore, court may grant his urgent application.
Counsel argued that petitioner is lawful importer of Zimbabwe Raw Cotton and during his business, he imported 303 bales of Zimbabwe Raw Cotton and filed goods declaration (GD) according with law.
Counsel added that however, petitioner was shocked, when he was informed by customs officials that said goods could not be released as same are not allowed into Pakistan cause of exotic pests and disease.
Counsel for the petitioner further informed the court that goods were detained despite fumigations carried out by the Government of Zimbabwe vide Phytosanitary Certificate dated June 24, 2021, Government of South Africa and Government of Pakistan, therefore, goods are deemed to be free from exotic pests and disease which could be destructive to file corps horticulture, floriculture.
Citing Secretary Ministry of National Food Security & Research, DG Department of Plant Protection, Collector of Customs Port Muhammad Bin Qasim as respondents, petitioner pleaded the court to declare that above-mentioned goods are importable and direct them to release the same.
Petitioner further pleaded the court may restrain them from taking any adverse action against the petitioner till final order in this petition.
