KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Thursday directed the Pakistan Customs’ licensing authority to decide within 30 days the case of clearing agent M/s Nadeem Enterprises whose license was suspended over its alleged involvement in smuggling of poppy seed.
A division bench of SHC gave this direction while hearing a petition filed by the proprietor of M/s Nadeem Enterprises against suspension of its license.
The counsel for the petitioner submitted that the customs authorities had registered a criminal case against his client for allegedly trying to smuggle poppy seed out of the country and subsequently suspended its license. Refuting the allegations of its involvement, the counsel said, the firm had nothing to do with the offence.
He told the judges that the customs authorities are not finalizing the proceedings initiated against the petitioner after suspension of its license. He pleaded to the court to direct the authorities concerned to decide the petitioner’s licence suspension case at the earliest.
According to the customs authorities, M/s Rustam Towel Private Limited, M/s Friend Export (Pvt) Ltd, M/s Nadeem Enterprises, M/s Unity Freight International and M/s Virani Traders tried to smuggle poppy to Germany in the garb of polyester, cotton and dried printed fabric.
On physical examination, the authorities found that the consignment contained poppy seeds weighting 27.81 metric tons packed in 1119 bags.
