KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) directed customs officials to make sure filing their para wise comments on a petition filed by M/s Maya Corporation seeking exemption from sales tax on synthetic rubber SBR.
On May 14, 2019, a two-member bench, headed by Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi was hearing the matter.
During the hearing, counsel for the petitioner stated that petitioner is seriously aggrieved and highly prejudiced by the act of the respondents, whereby, they are not extending the benefit of SRO 1125(1)/2011 which exempt sales tax on impugned synthetic rubber SBR imported dated April 1, 2019 and they are not allowing provisional release of the consignment subject to final decision by the competent/adjudicating authority.
Counsel further argued that petitioner approached the high officials of customs department and requested to grant exemption under SRO 1125, however, the application has not yet been entertained, the petitioner has vehemently denied the observation of assessment officer and argued that the benefit of SRO 1125 ibid is being extended to other similar importers and, denial of the same to the petitioner tantamount to discriminate his constitutional rights.
Citing Chairman Federal Board of Revenue and Collector of Customs Model Customs Collectorate East as respondents, petitioner pleaded the court may declare that act of the respondents for not extending the benefit of SRO 1125 for exemption of sales tax on impugned goods imported by petitioner as unlawful, illegal, malafide.
He further pleaded the court may direct them to allow provisional release of the impugned goods and restrain them from taking any coercive action against the petitioner till final order in this petition.
