KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) has directed customs officials and counsel for the petitioner to file their para wise comments on a constitutional petition filed by M/s Nutshall Traders, seeking exemption of duty and taxes on a consignment of tiles imported from Sri Lanka. A two-member bench, comprising Justice Munib Akhtar and Justice Omer Siyal, was hearing.
During the hearing, the counsel for the petitioner stated that petitioner is lawful importer and always fulfills all the liabilities according to the law and had never been involved in any criminal or tax evasion case.
The counsel for the petitioner stated that petitioner imported a consignment of tiles from Sri Lanka which arrived at Karachi Port. It filed goods declaration according to the law and sought exemption from duty and taxes under SRO 482/2009 dated 13/06/2009 under PTA like SAFTA, which is still in field on the imported consignment from Sri Lanka under the list of SAARC countries.
Citing Secretary Revenue Division, Collector of Customs Appraisement East, Ministry of Commerce and other as respondents, petitioner court may declare that act of the respondents is illegal, mala fide and arbitrary.
He also pleaded the Sindh High Court to direct them to exempt the petitioner from duty and taxes under above mentioned SRO and restrain them from taking any coercive action against the petitioner till final order of the this petition.
