KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) has issued notices to customs authorities on a constitutional petition filed by Ghulam Abbas, seeking release of his Toyota Hiace van impounded by officials of the Model Customs Collectorate, Port Qasim.
While hearing the petition, a two-member bench, comprising Justice Munib Akhter and Justice Anwar Hussain, directed the respondents to submit their respective comments on September 23, 2016.
Earlier, the petitioner’s counsel stated that his client was coming from Karachi to Thattha, when customs staff intercepted the petitioner and impounded his van bearing Registration No R-0242, Larkana.
According to the petitioner, the customs authorities alleged that the foreign origin vehicle was smuggled without payment of duty and taxes, adding that he purchased the said vehicle from a local market.
Citing Ministry of Finance secretary, Customs Adjudication collector and Port Qasim Customs collector as respondents, the petitioner pleaded the SHC may declare the act of the respondents as malafide, unjustified, unlawfully, illegal and court may direct the respondents to release his vehicle immediately.
