KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) directed the tax department and deputy attorney general of Pakistan on a constitutional petition filed by Zeshan Akram seeking release order of his consignment of toiletries and general merchandise goods, compressors etc.
A two-member bench, headed by Justice Munib Akhtar heard the petition. During the hearing, Kashif Nazeer advocate filed power and sought time, court granted his request and directed him to ensure file para wise comments on next date of hearing, court also adjourned the hearing for January 25, 2017.
Earlier, counsel for the petitioner stated that petitioner imported two containers of toiletries, general merchandise goods, compressors etc and filed goods declaration as per law and regulation, officials of the Customs authorities selected his consignment for examination and during the examination no mis-declaration was found, however, staff of the Customs Department blocked his consignment without showing any legal and lawful reason.
Counsel further argued that custom authorities are not empowered to hold, detain or seize the freely importable, lawfully released duty paid consignment.
Citing Sectary Revenue Division, Collector of Custom Appraisement West Model Custom Collectorate, Assistant Collector of Customs PaCCS, Additional Collector of Customs WeBOC, Deputy Collector of Customs (R&D) and Director Directorate General of Intelligence & Investigation-FBR as respondents, petitioner pleaded the court may declare that act of the custom department is illegal, mala fide and arbitrary.
He also pleaded the court may direct the tax authorities to release his consignment immediately and restrain them from taking any coercive action against the petitioner.
