KARACHI: A Written Statement (WS) was filed here yesterday by Pakistan Customs, Valuation in nine suits filed on identical law point impugning show cause issued to them separately by the custom authorities.

The suits were filed by Madras shippers, Kassim textiles, Atlas Cables and others against issuance of show cause notices to them on charge of evading custom duty and other taxes as cargo destine for Afghanistan was pilfered and sold in territories within Pakistan.

The Customs department  in their WS submitted that the suits are barred under the section 217 (2) of Customs Act 1969 as these seek setting aside of Customs procedure adopted by the RS,

The WS submitted by Masooda Siraj advocate, counsel for Director General Valuation said that plaintiffs obtained Delivery Order after submitting the  original Bill of Landing and undertaken that empty contained would be given back to the shipping lines but now maintains that their role ended when  they handed over the consignment to NLC/Bonded Transporter vehicle.

The defendant relied upon a judgment by Supreme Court of Pakistan in a suo motu reference about NATO containers and said the apex court has asked NAB to look into the criminal aspect of the afghan transit trade pilferage case while FBR was asked to find out the amount of evasion in taxes, duties etc.

The hearing in the matter was fixed  for March 28.