KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) granted an urgent application for hearing on a constitutional petition filed by Classic Zone by Kashan Garments for exemption from delay demurrage and additional charges demanded by customs officials due to disputed valuation.
On 11 October 2021, a two-member bench, comprising Justice Shafi Muhammad Siddiqui and Justice Agha Faisal heard the matter, M Abbas Shah advocate for petitioner appeared behalf of the petitioner and argued that petitioner is urgent basis, therefore, court may grant urgency and fixed the case early as soon as possible.
After the hearing, the court granted an urgent application and directed the office to fix this case as soon as possible.
Counsel for the petitioner has argued that petitioner has imported consignments and filed goods declarations according to law, however, petitioner was shocked when petitioner was informed that goods valuation has been enhanced from Rs1,549,214 to Rs5,905, 607.
He added that due to litigation, customs officials are demanding demurrage, delay and additional charges illegally, unlawful and no legal effect.
Chairman Federal Board of Revenue, Secretary Revenue Division, Secretary Ministry of Finance, The Commissioner Inland Revenue Zone-VII, CRTO, Collector of Customs Model Customs Collectorate Port Muhammad Bin Qasim, Qasim International Container Terminal and others as respondents, petitioner pleaded the court may declare that act of the respondents is illegal, mala fide and arbitrary.
He further pleaded the court to direct them to release petitioner\s consignment and set aside impugned demand for demurrage, additional and delay charges and also restrain them from taking any adverse action against the petitioner till final judgment in this constitutional petition.
