MULTAN: The Supreme Court of Pakistan has officially dismissed appeals contesting the regulatory duty imposed on the import of raw materials for garment packaging. The ruling reinforces the federal government’s authority to regulate import duties as part of its fiscal policy.
A three-member bench, led by Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah and comprising Justices Ayesha Malik and Aqeel Abbasi, presided over the case.
During the hearing, the petitioner’s counsel argued that the regulatory duty resulted in unequal treatment of packaging raw materials compared to other materials.
In response, Justice Mansoor Ali Shah emphasized the federal government’s prerogative in imposing such duties. “The federal government is empowered to decide on whom to impose regulatory duties,” he stated, highlighting the importance of policy discretion in fiscal matters.
Justice Ayesha Malik reiterated that the court’s jurisdiction does not extend to evaluating fiscal policies, while Justice Aqeel Abbasi pointed out that similar appeals had already been dismissed by high courts across the country.
The petitioner’s attorney raised concerns regarding the existence of another raw material of similar nature that is not subject to regulatory duty. Justice Mansoor Ali Shah advised that if the petitioner found other materials without regulatory duties more favorable, they should pursue those options. He clarified that the court would not interfere in governmental financial policies.
Ultimately, the Supreme Court upheld the decisions of the lower courts and dismissed the appeal, reaffirming the federal government’s discretion in imposing regulatory duties on imports. This ruling underscore the judiciary’s respect for legislative authority in fiscal matters while providing clarity on the regulatory framework governing the importation of essential materials in the garment industry.
