KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) has directed parties to conclude the arguments on a constitutional petition filed by Long Khan against seizing of his Hino truck bearing registration number AE-1636 loading plastic scrap seized by customs officials. A two-member bench, comprising Justice Munib Akhtar and Justice Umer Sial, was hearing the petition.
Earlier, counsel for the petitioner stated that petitioner is lawful owner of the above mentioned vehicle and never involved in any crime. However, officials of the Anti-Smuggling Organization of Model Customs Collecorate Hyderabad intercepted his Hino truck which was loaded with plastic scrap. During the search, the driver produce all relevant documents, however, the customs officials seized his vehicle without any lawful authority and reason.
Being aggrieved, petitioner moved to Customs Appellate Tribunal which allowed his appeal and directed customs officials to release his vehicle, however, high officials of the customs department are not following court’s order.
Citing Secretary Finance and Director, Customs Appellate Tribunal, Collector of Customs Appeals, Deputy Collector of Customs Adjudication, Customs Collectorate, Hyderabad as respondents, petitioner pleaded the court may direct them to release his vehicle immediately.
He also pleaded the court to restrain them from taking any coercive action against him till final order of this petition.