KARACHI: A division bench of High Court of Sindh (SHC) comprising Justice Munib Akhtar and Justice Omar Sial on Friday asked Pakistan Customs to file comments in a petition filed by Digicom Trading, importer of Q Mobile phones.
The petitioner moving the court through Franklin Law Associates maintained that a notice of auction of consignments was received by the importer company on ground that they have not filed GD’s (Goods Declaration). The petitioner maintained that its NTN has been blocked and for the reason was unable to file GD’s for the consignments which have reached the port and are in the pipe line. The petitioner moved a representation before the relevant custom authorities seeking 100 per cent examination and assessment of the duties etc for release of the consignments. The new imports/arrivals cannot be detained for a default in the past, the counsel from panel of lawyers of Franklin Law Associates argued seeking suspension of auction notice.
When the petition was taken up, a counsel for Pakistan Customs sought time to file comments. The bench said that while department maintains that it fell short of revenue, it is disallowing request by importer for paying huge sums in custom duty and other taxes.
However allowing request for time, the bench put of further hearing till Dec 7. More than a dozen consignments are awaiting clearance.
The respondents include Pakistan Customs, Preventive, Appraisement West, Collector Exports and Air Freight Unit, Jinnah Terminal besides chairman FBR.