KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) has issued notices to the Customs Department and deputy attorney general on a constitutional petition filed by Rizwan Ahmed, proprietor of M/s World Line Petroleum Services, and Abdul Saleem Jadoon, seeking release of an oil tanker bearing registration number TTA 541 seized by customs officials allegedly with 15,000 liter Iranian high speed diesel.
While hearing of the petition, a two-member bench, comprising Justice Munib Akhtar and Justice Omer Sial, also directed the parties to file their respective para wise comments on the next date of hearing.
During the hearing, counsel for the petitioners stated that they are lawful owner of 15,000 liter diesel loaded on the oil tanker no TTA 541 of Abdul Saleem Jadoon which was intercepted by officials of the Anti-Smuggling Organization near Ibrahim Haideri Fishries, Korangi Karachi and allegation was fixed that it is foreign origin diesel.
He argued that the driver produced legal documents, however, the customs authorities seized the oil tanker along with 15,000 diesel.
Citing Secretary Ministry of Finance, chairman Federal Board of Revenue, Director Directorate General Customs and Collector of Customs Preventive as respondents, petitioner pleaded the court to declare the act of the respondents as illegal, mala fide and arbitrary, he pleaded the court to direct them to release his vehicle immediately.
He also pleaded the court may restrain them from taking any coercive action against him till final order of this petition.
