KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) issued notices to the customs officials and deputy attorney general directing them to file their para wise comments on a constitutional petition filed by M/s Sahara Public Rights Welfare Organization seeking release order for its consignment of five containers received from different countries on account of donations.
On October 16, 2018, a two-member bench, headed by Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi, heard the matter.
During the hearing, counsel for the petitioner stated in its constitutional petition that petitioner is public rights welfare organization, established in 1988 and has been striving to serve the sick, the old, the disabled and children, and have received about 69 containers from different countries on account of donations and were released by the respondents as per exemption granted by the competent authority is this regard.
He argued that on August 11, 2018, five containers arrived at Karachi Port from shipper Al-Muhtaram General Trading UAE containing different relief items in respect of donation for the petitioner; however, after submission of all required documents with the respondents, instead of releasing the consignments the respondents hold the all consignments without showing any lawful reasons.
He further said that petitioner has suffered tremendously on account of non-clearance/blockade/hold of the consignment, while delay demurrage and detention charges are being accrued. The respondents are responsible for delaying the clearance for an indefinite period whereas according to law, they are required to complete the process of clearance within 24 hours.
Citing secretary Revenue Division, Director Directorate General of Customs Valuation and Collector of Customs Appraisement East as respondents, he pleaded the court to declare act and actions on the part of respondents as illegal, void, without lawful authority and no legal effect and direct the respondents to grant delay detention certificate for waiver of wharf age and detention charges.
