KARACHI: A two-member bench issued notices to the customs authorities and directed them to file their respective parawise comments on a constitutional petition filed by Syed Khurram Hussain Naqvi and Muhammad Sohail, partners of customs agents firm namely M/s World Ocean Centre having license no 2640 against lodging FIR, calling petitioners unnecessarily in mis-declaration of diplomatic cargo wine of 543 liters worth Rs3,99,554 under the garb of against ministry of foreign affairs exemption certificates.
On 31 October 2020, during the hearing, counsel for the petitioners argued that petitioners have discharged their obligations as authorized customs agents truly in accordance with the applicable laws, the petitioners have no concern with the allegedly committed offence.
He further argued that petitioners are being called by different customs officials through telephone calls but despite repeated requests by the petitioners, none of them have required the petitioners through proper notices.
Citing secretary ministry of finance, secretary ministry of foreign affairs, Collector of Customs Port Qasim, DG I&I-FBR as respondents, petitioners pleaded the court to restrain them from calling unnecessarily, causing them harassment and taking coercive action against the petitioners including their arrest on the allegation of mis-declaration.
Earlier, the investigation officer of Customs Hyderabad informed the customs court that on actionable information, customs officials intercepted Hino truck bearing registration No C-1456 along with a 20 feet container.
He further informed the court that during the search, customs officials found diplomatic cargo wine of 543 liters worth Rs3,99,554 which was cleared under the garb of against ministry of foreign affairs exemption certificates.
He stated that above mentioned suspect is in jail custody, however, Muhammad Sohail, Syed Khurram Hussain Naqvi, partner of M/s World Ocean Centre/ clearing agent are on interim bail.
According to the prosecution, case was registered for violation of under 2 (s), 15, 16, 32 & 157 of the customs act, 1969 read with section 3 (1) of the import & export (control) act, 1950, punishable under clauses (8) & 89 of section 156 (1) of the customs act, 1969 and section 157 (2) ibid read with SRO 566(1)/2005 dated June 06, 2005.
