KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) has directed customs officials to file their para wise comments on a constitutional petition filed by M/s Bashir Pipe Industries (Private) Limited against SRO No 1035/2017 over imposition a regular duty on imports of various items, including steel sheets and other similar goods.
A two-member bench heard the petition. During the hearing, counsel for the customs authorities sought time to file comments on behalf of the officials, therefore, the court granted him time and directed him to file comments on the next date of hearing.
Earlier, counsel for the petitioner stated that it is engaged in the lawful business of import of steel sheets and other similar goods.
He submitted that Secretary Revenue Division issued notification dated 16/08/2017 being SRO 1035/2017 in supersession of review SRO and in purported exercise of power under section 18 (3) of the Customs Act, 1969 imposed a regular duty on imports of various items including steel sheets and others similar goods illegally.
Citing Secretary Revenue Division and Statistics/ Chairman Federal Board of Revenue, Collector of Customs Collectorate Appraisement East, Collector of Model Customs Collectorate Appraisement West as respondents, he pleaded the court to declare the act of the respondents as illegal, mala fide and arbitrary.
He also pleaded the court to set aside impugned SRO and restrain them from taking any coercive action against the petitioner till final order in this petition.
