KARACHI: A divisional bench of High Court of Sindh (SHC) comprising Chief Justice Sajjad Ali Shah and Justice Zulfiqar Ahmad Khan on Friday adjourned hearing of a constitution petition filed by Faizan Steel and others after Pakistan Customs agreed to release the goods on personal bond.

The bench earlier heard counsel for petitioner who alleged that his consignments were being detained at the Port Muhammad Bin Qasim despite payment of custom duties etc as per goods declaration. The petitioner maintained that he filed a Advance Vessel Information and filed the GD on the day, the consignment arrived at the port. The petitioner had followed all the procedure and adhered to all rules but was being discriminated, alleged the counsel for petitioner. He submitted that petitioner is being over burdened every day by increasing demurrage.

Deputy Collector Customs (Appraisement), East Rizwan Mehmood appeared before the court on notice along with Principal Law officer Ilyas Ahsan and Kashif Nazeer. They attempted to justify the delay in release of the consignment but were unable to satisfy the court. They then sought time to check the details and nature of dispute on the basis of electronically filed documents by importer.

The bench asked Deputy Collector Customs Rizwan Mehmood to either release the goods on personal bond if they are seeking more time or to face the judgment.

The Custom officers later agreed to releasing goods on personal bond with petition remains pending.