KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) issued notices to the customs department and deputy attorney general and directing them to file their respective para wise comments on a petition filed by M/s Asco International Private Limited seeking release of its imported two used gas generators and two lathe machines from Germany on bank guarantee.
On October 12, 2018, a two-member bench, headed by Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi, heard the matter.
During the hearing, counsel for the petitioner stated in his constitutional petition that he imported the lot of two used gas generators and two lathe machines with all standard parts and accessories from Germany and filed Goods Declaration (GD) the transaction value at euro 21,862 which was paid according with law.
He submitted that goods were selected for scrutiny and show-cause notice was issued to the petitioner by customs officials who alleged that the importer attempted to conceal the actual contents of the consignment and also mis-declared the classification as well as attempted to clear the banned goods.
He argued that importer submitted reply to the show-cause notice and rebutted all the three charges separately and being aggrieved moved appellate tribunal which is lying vacant; therefore, petitioner is left with no other options but to move the SHC for the release of his consignment.
Citing Secretary Finance, Collector Appraisement East, Collector Customs Adjudication-II as respondents, he pleaded the court to direct respondents to allow the clearance of the consignment importer by the petitioner on submission of bank guarantee/pay order to this court and restrain them from taking any coercive action against the petitioner till final order in this petition.
