KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) has directed the Pakistan Customs to respond to a petition filed by M/s Pak Farming Care for getting release of its consignment of pesticides.
Petitioner M/s Farming Care submitted that it had imported 18.240 metric tons of fertilizers and agriculture-related chemicals from China and made payment of customs duty and taxes. According to the Import Policy Order 2013, the petitioner’s counsel said, fertilizers, pesticides and other chemicals meant for agriculture purposes are imported in accordance with the provisions of Agriculture Pesticides Ordinance 1971.
While complying with the laws, the petitioner submitted certificate for import of pesticides registered abroad issued by Department of Plant Protection with the general declaration and also provided Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate dated March 2, 2015, the counsel said. Nevertheless, he added, the consignment was not being released.
He told the judges that he had learned that the goods were not being cleared on account of Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate not being endorsed by the department concerned, which is now an essential condition.
However, the counsel argued that the same condition is not applicable to the subject consignment, as the bill of lading in respect of it had been issued prior to the introduction of that condition. Therefore, he pleaded to the court to order the authorities to release the petitioner’s consignment.
