KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) has issued notices to the Customs Department and deputy attorney general on a constitutional petition filed by M/s Usman Logistics (Private) Limited, seeking restoration of its clearing agent license/NTN number/ user ID password blocked by customs authorities due to allegedly involved in ISAF scam.
While hearing of the petition, a two-member bench, headed by Justice Munib Akhtar, also directed them to file their respective para wise comments on the next date of hearing.
Earlier, counsel for the petitioner stated that the petitioner is a clearing agent and customs private bonded carrier, and has regularly been submitting its goods declarations and monthly sales tax returns/ income tax returns and never involved in a sales tax evasion or any criminal activities.
The counsel argued that it is seriously aggrieved by action of the respondents who issued notice to the petitioner and allegation was fixed that the petitioner is involved in ISAF scam, and suspended its business license i.e customs private bonded carrier license/ clearing agent license/ NTN No/ user ID password without fulfilling legal requirement and approval of the competent authority.
Citing Chairman Federal Board of Revenue, Secretary Revenue Division, Collector of Customs Collectorate Appraisement West and others as respondents, petitioner stated that court may declare the act of the respondents as illegal, mala fide and arbitrary.
He also pleaded the court to restrain them from taking any coercive action against the petitioner and direct them to restore its NTN number immediately.
After the hearing, court issued notices and called comments from customs department and deputy attorney general for next date of hearing.
