KARACHI: The Custom and Taxation Court on Monday reserved its judgment in an Iran origin tiles smuggling case.
Judge Syed Faiz Rasool Rashdi reserved the judgment after hearing final arguments from both sides and set September 12 for its pronouncement.
According to the prosecution, following a tip-off Anti-smuggling Organization had caught a parked trailer loaded with Iran origin tiles near Karachi Superhighway in January 2015. The ASO had arrested an alleged smuggler, Muhammad Arif, who was asleep in cabin of the trailer.
Subsequently, a case was registered against Arif and absconding driver under Section 2(s), 16, and 157(2) of the Customs Act 1969.
The prosecutor said that the Iran origin tiles were imported through an unauthorized route. The accused had failed to produce the legal documents regarding import of the consignment at the time of seizure.
Refuting the allegations of smuggling, the counsel for accused said that no offence of smuggling is made out as tiles were not notified item under Section 2 (S) of the Act. Moreover, he said that the consignment of tiles was imported through Gawadar Port legally.
