KARACHI: A two-member bench of the Singh High Court (SHC) comprising Justice Shafi Muhammad Siddiqui and Justice Faisal Agha granted urgent application and issued notices to customs officials and deputy attorney general of Pakistan on a constitutional petition filed by M/s Muhammad Din Malang Industry seeking provisional release of its imported consignment of newspaper printing ink which was stopped by customs officials due to disputed valuation.
On 23 October 2021, during the hearing, counsel for the petitioner argued that petitioner is an active commercial importer, exporter & wholesaler for printing ink for we-press newspapers/ magazines etc and always fulfilled legal formalities according to law.
Counsel added that during the course of business, petitioner has imported printing ink for we-press newspapers and magazines 1248 kg from USA and filed goods declaration according to law.
He submitted that however, director valuation enhanced valuation of the above-mentioned imported goods and allegation also was fixed on petitioner for mis-declaration. Counsel said that allegations are baseless and petitioner imported and filed goods declarations according to law.
Citing Secretary Revenue Division, Chairman Federal Board of Revenue, Collector of Customs Appraisement West, Director General Valuation and others as respondents, petitioner pleaded the court to declare that act of the respondents is illegal, mala fide and arbitrary.
Counsel further pleaded the court to direct them to release petitioner’s consignment accordingly and restrain customs officials, their staff, agent and other related persons from taking any adverse action against the petitioner till final order in this petition.
After the hearing, the court issued notices to the customs officials and directed them to file their comments on the next date of hearing.
