KARACHI: A two-m[divider]ember bench of the Sindh High Court (SHC) allowed urgent application and directed customs officials and deputy attorney general of Pakistan to submit their respective para wise comments on next date of hearing on a constitutional petition filed by Abdullah Maalik who imported 48 & 201 carton of different branded cigarettes detained by customs officials.
On 29 September 2021, during the hearing, counsel for the petitioner submits that the matter is on urgent basis, therefore, the court may grant urgent application and call comments from customs officials.
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After the hearing, a two-member bench, comprising Justice Shafi Muhammad Siddiqui and Justice Agha Faisal allowed urgent application and issued notices to the customs officials and deputy attorney general for next date of hearing.
Earlier, counsel argued that petitioner is doing lawful business and never has been involved in any crime, tax evasion or any first information report, scam as well. Counsel added that during the course of business, petitioner imported different brand’s cigarettes, however, customs preventive officials detained it without lawful authority and given any reasons.
Citing Chairman Federal Board of Revenue, Secretary Revenue Division, Collector of Customs Preventive as respondents, petitioner pleaded the court to declare that act of the respondents is illegal, mala fide and arbitrary.
He further pleaded that the court may direct them to release the consignment immediately and restrain them from taking any adverse action against the petitioner till final order in this petition.
