KARACHI: M/s Raja Steel, M/s Ayoub Steel Traders and other importers approached The Sindh High Court (SHC) seeking restraining order for no coercive action for disputed recovery of ant-dumping duty.
On May 27, 2019, counsel for the M/s Raja Steel, M/s Ayoub Steel Traders, M/s Ali Steel, M/s Bismillah Industry, M/s Z & D Metal Corporation, Supreme Steel Forming, M/s O.S Corporation, M/s Riaz-Ud-Din Engineering stated in his petitions that petitioners are importers of the products from several foreign manufacturers, the products has number of end-use applications for the purpose of construction, packing/ drums, fixtures, hoardings, transportation appliances, HAVC (heading ventilation and air conditioning), furniture, containers packaging etc.
He submitted that disputed issue regarding anti-dumping duty is pending before anti-dumping appellate tribunal, however, it has come to their knowledge that the tribunal has become non-functional and now remains vacant with several appeals pending before it, petitioners are, hence, left deprived of the statutory remedy and right of appeal, hence, having been denied a forum of redress against this completely arbitrary imposition of duty, the petitioners have hereby preferred the instant petition.
Citing secretary of Commerce, secretary Ministry of Law & Justice, secretary Ministry of Finance, chairman National Tariff Commission, chairman Federal Board of Revenue and Chief Collectorate South as respondents, court may pleaded to declare that the coercive measures by the respondents for forced recovery of impugned anti-dumping duty during the pendency of its statutory appeal before the appellate tribunal is illegal, arbitrary, unlawful. He further pleaded the court may restrain them from taking any coercive action against the petitioners.