KARACHI: A two-member bench of the Sindh High Court (SHC) issued notices to the customs officials on a constitutional petition filed by M/s Iqra Textiles seeking order for assessment of imported consignments of textiles fabric seized by customs officials.
On 6 July 2021, counsel for the petitioner stated that during the course of business, petitioner imported consignments of textile fabrics and after arrival of the consignments, the petitioner has performed his part of duties under the law including filing of goods declaration etc.
He further informed the court that petitioner approached customs officials for release of his consignments but the respondents for obvious reason of not meeting their illegal demand of gratification by the petitioner are not ready to make assessment and release the consignments of the petitioner even after filing of goods declaration.
Citing chairman FBR, Chief Collector of Customs Appraisement West and Assistant Director Customs Auction as respondents, petitioner pleaded the court to declare that the respondents are bound to carry out their statutory duties under section 80 of the customs act, 1969 and to take the assessment of the consignments of the petitioner for releasing the same after receiving payments of due taxes and duty.
He further pleaded the court to direct them to immediately perform their duties under section 80 of the customs act, 1969 and to make assessment of the consignments of the petitioner for its release immediately as the considerable time has already lapsed after arriving the consignments of the petitioner at the port and non-assessment of the same for its release without any reason has caused tremendous losses to the petitioner.
He further pleaded that court to restrain them, acting under or through them not to auction the above-mentioned consignments till final disposal of this petition.
