KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) has directed parties to submit their para wise comments of on a constitutional petition filed by M/s SM Enterprises, seeking restoration of national tax number blocked by the customs officials due to his alleged involvement in tax evasion. A two-member bench, headed by Justice Munib Akhtar, was hearing the petition.
The court also continued the interim order passed earlier till next date of hearing. It needs to be pertained here that on the last date of hearing, the court had directed that petitioner NTN and user ID, which has been blocked by respondents, be unblocked with immediate effect and the petitioner is entitled to use the same.
Earlier, counsel for the petitioner stated that he is engaged in the lawful manufacturing of iv infusions (intravenous infusion) having closed automatic system with blow, filed sealed technology, he informed the court that petitioner regularly import raw material from different countries.
According to the petitioner, it imported raw material and filed goods declaration (GDs) according to law, however, he was informed by the officials of the customs department that his national tax number has been blocked, he further argued that his NTN was blocked illegally, because he was not served any notice according to law procedure, therefore, act of the respondents is illegally and mala fide intention.
Citing Chairman Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Collector of Customs Air Freight Unit, Collector of Customs Collectorate Appraisement and others as respondents, petitioner pleaded the court may declare that act of the respondents is illegal, mala fide and arbitrary.
He also pleaded the court may direct the customs officials to restore its NTN immediately and restrain them from taking any coercive measures without permission of this court.
