KARACHI: A two-member bench of the Sindh High Court (SHC) directed customs officials to file their respective para wise comments, in case, no one appears, appropriate orders may be passed on a constitutional petition filed by M/s Build Trader Private Limited seeking release order for imported iron and steel goods.
On 18 November 2021, a two-member bench, comprising Justice Shahi Muhammad Siddiqui and Justice Agha Faisal heard the matter.
During the hearing, Aqeel Ahmed Khan advocate of petitioner, Kafeel Ahmed Abbasi deputy attorney general of Pakistan, Manzar Hussain advocate appeared before the court, Manzar Hussain holding brief for Khalid Dogar advocate.
During the hearing, court observed that “in case, no one appears on behalf of the respondents, appropriate orders shall be passed, court also directed customs officials to make sure filing their respective para wise comments for next date of hearing.
Earlier, counsel for the petitioner stated in his constitutional petition that petitioner is lawful importer of above-mentioned goods and during the course of business, imported above-mentioned goods and filed goods declaration according to law and requested the customs officials to release the same.
He further argued that however, petitioner was shocked, when he was informed that consignment marked as hold due to disputed valuation.
Citing Chairman Federal Board of Revenue, Chief Collector of Customs M Appraisement & Facilitation East as respondents, petitioner pleaded the court to declare that act of the respondents is illegal, mala fide and arbitrary.
He also pleaded the court to direct them to release petitioner’s consignment immediately and restrain them from taking any adverse action against the petitioner till final order in this petition.
