LAHORE: Special Court of Customs Taxation and Anti Smuggling is working without permanent judge from last 40 days as previous Judge Tanveer Akbar has been transferred to Rawalpindi.
Applicants are facing many problems in Customs Court as no permanent Judge is appointed even after more than one month. Tanveer Akbar who was transferred on January 2, 2015 but no other judge has taken charge of the court in his place. Mr. Akbar is appointed by Islamabad High Court on deputation since January 2014.
After his transfer special Judge of Banking crimes is monitoring the cases of smuggling, customs and taxation which are affecting the performance of banking court as well. Baking crime court Judge has allotted additional charge of Customs taxation and anti smuggling court. Banking crimes judge is issuing physical remands in cases otherwise court staff is giving dates to the applicants coming to Lahore from other cities of Punjab.
There is only one Customs Taxation and Anti Smuggling court in Punjab other than Divisional bench of Rawalpindi. Cases of Lahore, Faisalabad, Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan, Bahawalpur, Raheem yar Khan and Gujranwala are heard in Customs Court Lahore.
According to senior official of the court, it is expected that the new judge will take charge of the post within few days after orders by Islamabad High Court.
