KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) directed customs officials to file their comments on a constitutional petition filed by M/s Gonal International moves against placement of name of agricultural pesticides as under restricted goods category in chapter under serial no 50 of import policy. A two-member bench, headed by Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi heard the matter.
On Thursday, counsel for customs department seeks further time to submit comments on next date of hearing, therefore, court granted time and adjourned the matter.
Earlier, counsel for petitioner stated in its constitutional petition that it is engaged in the lawful manufacturing, marketing and regular imports of Agricultural Pesticides and was an adequately efficient set up for marketing, packing, stocking, distributing and sale of pesticides which is placed under restricted goods category in chapter under serial no 50 of import policy.
He argued that officials of the respondents have no authority to put up said goods as restricted goods, therefore, act of the respondents is illegal, mala fide and arbitrary.
Citing Secretary Ministry of National Security & Research, Chairman Federal Board of Revenue, Director General department of Plant Protection, Collector of Customs Appraisement West, Deputy Collector of Customs Appraisement West as respondents, he pleaded the court no issue endorsement of PSI to facilitate release of held consignments seizing by customs authorities.
He argued that set aside SRO 501(1)/2012 dated 11/05/2012 issued by Director General Department of Plant Protection to the extent of endorsement by it, court may direct Collector of Customs Appraisement West and Deputy Collector of Customs Appraisement West to release the held-up consignments imported by the petitioner on the basis of pre-shipment.
