KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) continued interim order and directed customs officials and counsel for the petitioner to file their comments on a petition filed by M/s Bismillah Store against seizing the consignment of popcorn due to disputed valuation.
A two-member bench, headed by Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi, heard the matter on August 9, 2018.
During the hearing, counsels for the parties sought time for rejoinder; therefore, the court granted time and adjourned the matter.
It needs to be mentioned here that on last date of hearing, court had directed the customs department to consider the request of petitioner for release of consignment of popcorn imported by petitioner.
During the hearing, counsel for the petitioner stated that petitioner is engaged in the lawful business of import of popcorn and fulfills all the legal requirements according with law. It imported a consignment of popcorn and filed goods declaration $O.4200 per kilogram, however, officials of the Director General of Valuation enhanced the valuation as $2.70 per kilogram without lawful authority.
He further argued that due to the disputed valuation, consignment is not being cleared by the customs officials.
Citing Chairman Federal Board of Revenue, Chief Collector of Customs Collectorate, Collector of Customs Collectorate South, Collector of Customs Port Muhammad Bin Qasim as respondents, he pleaded the court to declare that act of the respondents as illegal, mala fide and arbitrary.
Petitioner also pleaded the court to direct the customs officials to release its consignment immediately and restrain them form taking any coercive action against the petitioner till final order in this petition.
