KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) has issued notices to the tax authorities and deputy attorney general on a constitutional petition filed by M/s Faiz Cargo Limited, seeking release order of containers which were lying (blocked) at Muhammad Bin Qasim Port, Karachi.
During the hearing of constitutional petition, a two-member bench, comprising Justice Munib Akhter and Justice Anwar Hussain, also directed the respondents to submit their respective comments until August 31, 2016.
Earlier, counsel for the petitioner stated that petitioner is conducting its business as a shipping lime, one importer as per the arrangement the shipping lime namely M/s Al – Madina Steel of Gujranwala imported a consignment of iron & steel melting scrap from Dubai to Pakistan, the goods were stuffed into 10×20 containers of M/s Maxicon containers lime, goods were transported to Pakistan on the ship of M/s Maxicon Containers Lime.
According to the petitioner, goods arrived at Karachi and importer filed goods declaration dated January 14, 2016, however, during the examination, some objectionable goods were reported and the respondents made a contravention report and consequently clearance of the goods was not allowed.
Counsel further argued that on the directions of the SHC containers were de-stuffed at the bounded ware house, but WeBOC system showed that the containers are lying at the port area, therefore, respondents have not released the containers on their system.
Citing secretary Revenue Division, Customs Collectorate, WeBOC, Port Muhammad Bin Qasim, deputy collector Customs Collectorate, WeBOC, Port Muhammad Bin Qasim as respondents, petitioner pleaded the SHC may declare that the act of the respondents to block the above containers at the system illegal, malafide, unjustified and arbitrary, petitioner also pleaded the court may direct the respondents to immediately release its containers.
