KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) has directed tax authorities to file para-wise comments on a constitutional petition filed by M/s Power Industries Pakistan, seeking benefit of SRO 659(I)/2007 and release order with delay, detention certificate of its consignment of “sec-butyl acetate”.
A two-member bench, comprising Justice Munib Akhtar and Justice Saeeduddin Nasir heard the petition. During the hearing, Kashif Nazeer filed reply on behalf of the department and sought some time to submit para-wise comments; therefore, the court adjourned the hearing for October 19, 2016.
Earlier, counsel for the petitioner stated that petitioner is engaged in manufacturing of variety of chemical that are utilised as key raw material by various industries across Pakistan.
The petitioner imported a consignment of 650 drums of sec-Butyl acetate from China and filed goods declarations according to prescribe valuation. The customs duty has been in line with the free trade agreement between Pakistan and China.
The counsel argued that the respondents have rejected the classification as declared of the petitioner as well as benefits of SRO 659(I)/2007 as well as review. Therefore, the petitioner filed an appeal before Customs Tribunal which is pending. The consignment of the petitioner is in eight containers lying at port and detention and demurrage charges are accumulation day by day.
Citing Revenue Division sectary, Customs Appraisement-East and deputy collector as respondents, the importer pleaded the court may direct the respondents to release the consignment of the petitioner. The importer also pleaded the SHC may direct the respondents to issue delay detention certificate with benefits of SRO 659(I)/2007.
