KARACHI: A two-member bench of the Sindh High Court (SHC) directed customs officials to release the imported consignments comprising cat & dog food after securing differential amount at shape of bank guarantee on a constitutional petition filed by M/s Bismillah Store.
On 14 January 2022, a two-member bench, headed by Justice Irfan Sadat Khan heard the matter. Court also issued notices to the customs officials and directed them to file their respective para wise comments for next date of hearing.
During the hearing, counsel for the petitioner argued that petitioner is engaged lawful business, import of pet foods from different countries and always fulfilled all the legal formalities according to law.
He added that during the course of his business, petitioner has imported a consignment of pet food (cat & dog food) and filed goods declaration according to law, however, customs officials seized the above-mentioned goods under the garb of valuation ruling no 1570/2021.
Counsel submitted that assessment is being done by the customs officials higher than declared valuation. Petitioner approached the customs officials for provisional release; however, request of the petitioner has been declined by the customs officials.
Citing Chairman Federal Board of Revenue, Director General of Valuation, Director Valuation, Collector of Customs Appraisement East, Collector of Customs Appraisement West 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 set aside impugned valuation ruling, direct them to release petitioner’s consignment and restrain them from taking any adverse action against the petitioner till final order in this petition.
