KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) directed Customs officials to make sure to file their comments on a constitutional petition filed by M/s Unique Enterprises against enhancement of valuation of imitation jewellary 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 Monday.
During the hearing, counsel for the petitioner stated that it is engaged in the lawful import of imitation jewellery and always fulfills all the legal requirements and never involved in any criminal case.
He submitted that it imported two consignments on imitation jewellery from India and filed Goods Declaration (GDs) 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 $13.5kg. 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.
He 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 the court to direct them to release of its consignments lay down at the port according with law.
