KARACHI: Dr Sadia Sadaf, the deputy director of Intelligence and Investigation, disclosed before the Sindh High Court (SHC ) that 220 units of Mitsubishi Air Conditioners (indoor & outdoor units) were smuggled and the petitioner has produced irrelevant import documents to give legal cover to the said smuggled air conditioners.
A two-member bench, comprising Justice Munib Akhter and Justice Anwar Hussain was hearing two constitutional petitions filed by Orient Electronics (Private) Limited and Mumtaz Hussain, seeking release order of truck/ trailer along with 220 units of Mitsubishi Air Conditioners.
During the hearing, Deputy Director Dr. Sadia Sadaf, filed rejoinder from DG, Intelligence & Investigation – FBR’s Side in which she informed the court that said 220 units of Mitsubishi Air Conditioners (made in Thailand) were smuggled which being notified items are liable to outright confiscation, however, petitioner Orient Electronics Pvt Ltd have produced irrelevant import documents to give legal cover to the said smuggled air conditioners.
She further informed the court that proceedings are pending before the collector of customs adjudication – I therefore petitioner is required to avail the said remedy available to it, She pleaded the SHC that the petitions may be dismissed along with listed applications.
On the reply of the customs authorities, a two-member bench directed counsel for the petitioner to submit rejoinder on next date of hearing. Court adjourned the hearing for September 01, 2016.
Earlier, counsel for the petitioners stated in two separate constitution petitions they booked a container of 220 units of Mitsubishi Air Conditioners (indoor & outdoor units) from the factory of M/s Orient Electronics, Lahore to be delivered to M/s Abbas Traders at Karachi through public carrier vehicle Nissan Trailer bearing registration number TLF-369 against a proper delivery.
According to the petitioners, officials of the customs authorities intercepted the trailer vehicle dated April 05, 2016 when it was about to unload the cargo at the Abdullah Haroon Road, Saddar Town, Karachi. He argued that driver of the vehicle produced all relevant documents, but respondents alleged that goods are smuggled goods and demanded unjustly, unfairly and with ulterior motives the import documents and proof of payment of duties, which was beyond the reproach.
Citing Chairman Federal Board of Revenue ( FBR ), Collector of Customs through Collector of Customs Adjudication – I, Director General of Intelligence & Investigation – FBR as respondents, Petitioners pleaded the SHC may direct the respondents to release the truck along with 220 units of indoor and outdoor splits air conditioners.
