KARACHI: A two-member bench of the Sindh High Court (SHC) directed customs officials to make sure filing their para wise comments on a constitutional petition filed by M/s International Cargo Leaders Private Limited against a show cause notice issued by customs officials over concealment of documents.
On 31 March 2021, Justice Muhammad Junaid Ghaffar and Justice Faisal Kamal heard the matter and directed customs officials to file their comments for next date of hearing.
During the hearing, counsel for the petitioner stated that petitioner is clearing agent and its client namely M/s First Way Link Trader filed an export goods declaration for export of rice, weighing 680 MT, goods declaration was examined and shipment was allowed, petitioner also fulfilled the statutory requirement as envisage in customs rules 2001 vide SRO 450 (i)/2001 dated June 18, 2001.
He further informed the court that petitioner was shocked when it came to know that petitioner was issued a show cause notice, petitioner has replied that petitioner have been in customs clearing business for last 25 years with unblemished record good reputation and all the documents of disputed consignment provided by the exporter to the clearing agent like packing lists, invoice, B.L, E-Form etc and nothing added or concealed by the clearing agent while filing the goods declaration because the agent acted on the advice of exporter.
He argued that the owner of the consignment filed an undertaking before the trial court that he will bring the remittance in the country within two months.
Citing chairman FBR, Additional Collector of Customs Licensing, MCC Appraisement West and Chief Collector of Customs South, Appraisement as respondents, petitioner pleaded the court to please suspend the further proceedings on the basis of hearing notice dated March 09, 2021 issued by no 2, 3 as an interim arrangement till finalization of the petition and any other relief which this court think fit and proper may please be granted in favors of the petitioner.
