KARACHI: Muhammad Ali Chandna, proprietor of M/s Pure Enterprises approached the Sindh High Court (SHC) against insertion of his name in exit control list (ECL) on the basis of lodging FIR under Section 32 of the Customs Act, 1969.
On March 7, 2019, counsel for the petitioner stated that petitioner is engaged in imports of assorted chemicals of various descriptions and supply thereof for use in multiple industries and registered with the name and style of M/s Pure Enterprises.
He argued that on March 4, 2015, an FIR was lodged by the officials of the customs department wherein it is alleged that he has imported two consignments on January 27, 2014 at vague description of SDO and preservative from China. It was further alleged that according to the informer, the goods were in-fact “paracetamol”, and consequently the petitioner was arrested and subsequent to arrest he was enlarged on bail granted to him by the trial court.
He argued that despite the fact, customs officials sent recommendation to high officials for insertion of name of petitioner in exit control list, therefore, his name was inserted in exit control list, and however, several complaints / requests were made by the petitioner to the respondents for removing his name from ECL but to no avail.
Citing Ministry of Interior, DG Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Collector of Customs Appraisement East and others as respondents, petitioner pleaded the court to declare that said collector is not authorized to recommend the name of petitioner for insertion in exit control list on the basis of lodging FIR.
He further pleaded the court may direct the respondents to remove his name from the exit control list with immediate effect.
