KARACHI: A two-member bench of the Sindh High Court (SHC) directed customs officials to file their respective para wise comments on a constitutional petition filed by M/s King Star Traders seeking release order of consignment comprising watches, batteries, charges, camera batteries, packs and other parts.
On 29 October 2021, during the hearing, Ifran Ali Shaikh consel for petitioner, Muhammad Khalil Dogar and Waseem Akbar advocates for customs officials appeared before the court and sought further time for submit their respective comments.
After the hearing, the court directed customs officials to file comments and adjourned the hearing for two weeks.
Earlier, counsel for the petitioner argued that petitioner is engaged in the lawful business for import of watches, batteries, charges, camera batteries, packs and other parts and always fulfilled all the legal formalities according to law.
Counsel added that petitioner has imported a consignment for above mentioned goods and filed goods declaration according to law and requested customs official to release accordingly, however, customs official’s illegally hold the said consignment and claimed that petitioner is involved in allegedly mis-declaration.
Citing Secretary Finance, Director IPR, Directorate of Intellectual Property Rights, Collector of Customs Appraisement East, Deputy Collector of Customs (SAPT) Appraisement & Facilitation East and others as respondents, petitioner pleaded the court may declare that act of the respondents is illegal, mala fide and arbitrary.
He further pleaded the court to declare that enhancement of the above-mentioned goods is illegal and unlawful, direct them to release the same according to law and restrain them from taking any adverse action against the petitioner till final judgment in this petition.