KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) directed its office to connect other relevant constitutional petitions with the same, filed by M/s Moon Light Traders seeking release of its imported consignment which was detained by customs officials due to impugned notice demanding for infrastructure fee issued by Excise & Taxation department.
On 1 September 2021, during the hearing, counsel for the petitioner argued that these matters pertain to infrastructure fee on the subject matter other constitutional petitions have been decided, if court may pass the same order, petitioner would not have any objection.
After the hearing, the court directed the SHC office to connect this petition with others for the same order.
Earlier, counsel for the petitioner argues that high officials of the respondent department issued impugned notice for infrastructure fee, therefore, petitioner was restrained from allowing release of the goods from the port area without lawful authority and illegally.
Citing Secretary Excise & Taxation department, Director General Excise & Taxation department and Director Excise & Taxation department as respondents, petitioner pleaded the court to declare that act of the respondents is illegal, mala fide and arbitrary.
He further pleaded the court to declare impugned notice as illegal and of no legal effect and directed customs officials to release its consignment along with delay detention certificate and restrain them from taking any adverse action against the petitioner till final order in this petition.