KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) issued an interim order and directed customs officials not to take any action against the petitioner till next date of hearing on a constitutional petition filed by M/s Al-Saudia Enterprises against enhancement of valuation of imitation jewellery from $3.45 & 4.25 to $13.5 kilogram imported from India.
A two-member bench, headed by Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi heard the matter on August 13, 2108. During the hearing, counsel for the customs department sought time for filing comments, therefore, court granted time and continued interim order passed earlier.
During the hearing, counsel for the petitioner stated that it is engaged in the lawful import of artificial/imitation jewellery and always fulfills all the legal requirements and never involved in any criminal case.
Counsel argued that it imported two consignments of artificial/imitation jewellery from India and filed Goods Declaration (GD) according with law as per $ 3.45 & 4.25, however, he was shocked when officials of the customs department informed that valuation of the above mentioned goods has been enhanced at the rate of $13.5 kilogram. He argued that customs officials have no power to enhance such valuation without approval of the concerned authorities.
Citing Chairman Federal Board of Revenue, Collector of Customs Collectorate Port Muhammad Bin Qasim, Collector of Customs Collectorate and others as respondents, he pleaded the court to declare that act of the respondents as illegal, mala fide and arbitrary.
Petitioner also pleaded the court to set aside impugned enhancement and restrain them from taking any coercive action against the petitioner till final order in this petition. Importer also pleaded that the court may direct them to release of its consignments lay down at the port according with law and as per goods declaration filed my imported according with law.
