KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) has adjourned the hearing of a constitutional petition filed by M/s Shaista Mehmood Limited and Muhammad Ishaq, seeking release of their consignments of used electronic appliances.
A two-member bench, headed by chief Justice Sajjad Ali Shah, was hearing the petition. During the hearing, counsel for the petitioners requested for adjournment of the case on the ground that he is busy before another bench, therefore, the court adjourned the hearing for date in the office.
Earlier, counsel for the petitioners stated that petitioners are carrying import and export for Afghanistan and imported seven consignments of used electrical appliances, including car audio systems, car CD player and car DVD players, speakers, woofers, amplifiers etc via Karachi Port.
According to the petitioners, they imported their consignments for Afghanistan under an agreement signed on March 2, 1965. Under the agreement, Pakistan and Afghanistan transit facility to each other. However, the customs authorities refused to accept the goods declarations under the treaty between the two countries and held their consignments.
Citing Sectary Ministry of Commerce, Chairman Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), Director of Transit Trade Pakistan Customs, Additional Director Pakistan Customs, Directorate General of Transit Trade, Assistant Director Pakistan Customs, Directorate General of Transit Trade as respondents, the importers pleaded that the court my declare the act of the respondents as illegal, mala fide and arbitrary and direct the respondents to release their consignments.