KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) issued notices to the tax authorities on a constitution petition filed by Abdul Sattar seeking release order of two oil tankers which loaded with 30,000 liters of high speed diesel each impounded by customs authorities.
While hearing the petition, a two-member bench, comprising Justice Munib Akhter and Justice Anwar Hussain directed the respondents and deputy attorney general to submit their respective comments on next date of hearing.
During the hearing, counsel for the petitioner stated that petitioner is owner of the oil tankers bearing registration number TUA-579 and TUA-840 which were impounded by customs authorities. The petitioner had filed an appeal before the Customs Appellate Tribunal, Karachi, which had directed the authority concerned to release the oil tankers; however, respondents are not releasing the said oil tankers.
According to the prosecution, on the June 11, 2015 following specific information received by the Hyderabad Customs additional collector-II and Sindh Rangers’ FC Wing deputy superintendent regarding huge quantity of smuggled diesel being transported through oil tankers from Balochistan via mountain area towards interior Sindh.
Officials of the anti-smuggling force and Sindh Rangers participated in field operation at 40 kilometres away from border of Balochistan and intercepted the oil tankers which loaded smuggled 30,000 liters of diesel each.
Citing Ministry of Finance secretary, Customs Appellate Tribunal Karachi, Hyderabad Customs Adjudication collector and Hyderabad Customs collector as respondents, the petitioner pleaded the SHC may direct the respondents to release the petitioner’s’ oil tankers.
