KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) directed customs officials to release the consignment comprising telecommunication goods on bank guarantee on a petition filed by CMPak Limited (Zong Telecommunication Company) against detention of its imported consignment due to enhancement of valuation.
On 13 April 2020, order came, when a two-member bench, headed by Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi was hearing the matter, during hearing of the case bench, also directed them to file respective para wise comments on next date of hearing.
During the hearing, counsel for the petitioner stated that petitioner is a public limited company which is a licensed telecommunication operator headquartered in Islamabad offering various telecommunication services nationwide including and not limited to cellular mobile services, data services, 4G and other ancillary telecom services to its subscribers.
He further submitted that petitioner has imported dual brand antennas, coaxial cables, power cables, optical cables, processing and transmission units, base brand unit boxes, electricity distribution units and so many others goods and filed goods declaration according with law, however, officials of the customs department not only detained the said goods but assessed the goods higher rate instead of actual rates.
Citing secretary finance, Chairman FBR, Collector of Customs Appraisement and Facilitation Port Muhammad Bin Qasim, Collector of Customs Appraisement East, West as respondents, petitioner pleaded the court to declare that the acts of the respondents to delay the release of the goods and detention of imported goods under the following GDs are tainted with mala-fide and is result of harassment and illegal coercion, hence are unlawful.
He further pleaded the court may direct them to examine the goods imported under the supra mentioned GDs filed by the petitioner and to assess the customs duty and other charges under section 80 & 81 of the customs act, 1969 and release the illegally detained goods to the petitioner in lieu of already paid duties and others charges under section 83 of the customs act, 1969.
