KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Monday directed the tax authorities to release the consignment of fabrics on payment of duties and taxes and upon submission of bank guarantee/ pay order of Rs 1,603,669, while deciding a constitutional petition filed by Muhammad Yousaf Gous seeking release of his consignment.
While hearing the petition, a two-member bench, headed by Chief Justice Sajjad Ali Shah also directed that the amount of duty/taxes would be decided upon decision of the Customs Appellate Tribunal.
During the hearing, counsel for petitioner submitted that “on account of alleged mis-declaration, an Order-in-Original (ONO) was passed, which has been impugned before the tribunal, meanwhile may be allowed to get this consignment released.” However, counsel for the customs authorities informed the court that Rs 5,005,547 has been assessed as duties and taxes including Rs 1,603,669 fine.
Petitioner’s counsel submitted that excluding the fine, all duties and taxes would be paid against the release of consignment and fine would be secured through pay-order/bank guarantee. After the direction, the court disposed off the petition.
