KARACHI: A division bench of High Court of Sindh on Monday ordered Pakistan Customs to release a consignment imported by Telenor Pakistan on payment of assessed duty, taxes, and disputed differential amount with the Nazir of the court.
The bench earlier heard counsel for petitioner company who maintained that petitioner, a telecommunication service provider imported BSB, SHOTO, YUASA brand 2 Volt batteries of heavy weight for specific purpose of installation at company’s exchanges. The importer filed the GD under PCT heading 8507.2010 and paid applicable duty at the rate of 10 per cent but the department assessed the duty under HS Code 8507.2090 carrying duty at the rate of 20 per cent. The assessment is in violation of section 25 of the Customs Act 1969; the counsel for petitioner pleaded before the court adding that matter has been referred to higher authorities by the Customs officials and no decision was conveyed increasing the technical problems for the petitioner Telenor Pakistan.
The counsel for petitioner also referred to orders passed by SHC in petitions of identical nature and seeking interim orders prayed to the court to order release of goods after payment of assessed taxes and duties at the rate of ten per cent while the amount in dispute be deposited with the Nazir of the corut.
The bench also ordered tagging the instant petition with other pending petitions fixed for hearing on Nov 12.