KARACHI: A two-member bench of the Sindh High Court (SHC) directed customs officials to submit their respective para wise comments on a constitutional petition filed by M/s Pearl Enterprises and seeking release order of bank security deposited during provisionally release of imported consignments, comprising 307.522 MT PVC Laminated MDF Board/ Sheet from Turkey.
On 8 June 2021, during the hearing, counsel for the petitioner stated that petitioner M/s Pearl Enterprises has imported 307.522 MT PVC Laminated MDF Board/ Sheet from Turkey and declared value US$ 520 per cubic meter price/ m3 due to refusal of the petitioner declare value of the under subject item, consignments were provisionally assessed by the concerned authority under section 81 of the custom’s act, 1969, at the rate of US$ 730 per cubic meter/ m3 against secured differential amount of duties and taxes.
He further submitted that petitioner is aggrieved and dissatisfied by the actions of the customs officials by their discriminatory treatment with the petitioner, it is universally, apparently facts and true that due to covid-19 coronavirus worldwide, at the peak of the coronavirus epidemic every person suffered a drastic drop in business activities, under such circumstances turmoil in activities which caused fall down bottom to top tendency of mind consequences occurred 30/ 70 percent decreased prices of every things/ goods throughout the world.
He added that the petitioner requested customs officials to return the surety amount, however, the request was declined by the customs officials.
Citing Secretary Revenue Division, chairman FBR and Collector of Customs Appraisement East as respondents, petitioner pleaded the court to direct the respondents to return back pay order of valued of Rs.665131 which were issued by Bank Al Habib Ltd, Timber Market Branch Karachi, against security deposit of differential amount of duties and taxes, under section 81 of the customs act, 1969.
He further pleaded the court may direct them not to en-cash the security amount pay orders which were deposited under section 81, of the customs act, 1969.
