KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) directed customs officials to file their para wise comments on a petition filed by M/s Noor Enterprises against enhancement of regulatory duty (RD) from 20% to 50% on cosmetics items imported from China.
A two-member bench, headed by Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi, was hearing the matter on August 24, 2018.
During the hearing, counsel for the petitioner stated in his petition that he is engaged in the lawful business of import of cosmetics and always fulfills all the legal formalities accordance with law.
He submitted that importer is seriously aggrieved by the arbitrary exercise of customs officials in purposed exercise of power under Section 18 (3) of the Customs Act, 1969, to impose/ enhance regulatory duty from 20% to 50% through SRO 648(1)/2018 without any circumstances.
Citing Chairman Federal Board of Revenue, Secretary Revenue Division, Collector of Customs Collectorate East, Collector of Customs Collectorate West, Collector of Customs Collectorate Port Muhammad Bin Qasim and others as respondents, he pleaded the court to declare that act of the respondents is illegal, mala fide and arbitrary.
Importer also pleaded the court may set aside impugned notification and restrain them from taking any coercive action against the petitioner till final order in this matter till final order of this petition.