KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) has directed the Customs Appraisement-West to file para-wise comments on a constitutional petition filed by M/s Millat Trading Co, M/s Al-Ahmed Trade Center and M/s W.A International, seeking release of their consignments of wire locks.
A two-member bench, comprising Justice Munib Akhtar and Justice Anwar Hussain, was hearing the petition. During the hearing, counsel for the department sought time to submit para-wise comments; therefore, the court granted him time and adjourned the hearing for October 11, 2016.
Earlier, counsel for the petitioners stated that petitioners imported consignments of wire locks and filed goods declarations, besides paying duty and taxes thereof as per assessment on declared transaction values.
According to the petitioner, the Model Customs Collectorate Appraisement-West deputy commissioner working under the instructions and direction of the Revenue Division secretary and Appraisement-West collector neglected to allow release of the said consignments, which are lying within port area since long time and have been incurring heavy demurrages and detention charges. The counsel further mentioned in constitution petition that the petitioners had approached the respondents for release of their consignments and opted to secure the likely differential amount through bank guarantee but they refused their request.
Citing Revenue Division sectary, Appraisement-West collector and deputy collector as respondents, petitioners pleaded the SHC may direct the respondents for release their consignments.
