KARACHI: The Collector Customs, Port Muhammad Bin Qasim and East were put on notice for Jan 30 by an appellate bench of High Court of Sindh (SHC) comprising Justice Munib Akhtar and Justice Mrs Ashraf Jahan here on Friday.
The bench was hearing a Criminal Original application filed under Article 204 (Contempt Act). The applicants/ importers of grey Fabric moved the applications as alleged contemnors in violation of orders of the SHC and SCP kept the consignments detained. Earlier a lawyer from Franklin Law Associates appearing for the applicants maintained that non release of consignments despite orders of the top courts constitute criminal contempt.
The bench after hearing the counsel for importers/applicants ordered issuance of notices reqiring personal appearance of the alleged contemnors on Jan 30.
The controversy pertains to the grey fabric import which customs says is of Indian origin while petitioners maintains that the fabric in dispute is of China origin, purchased by them at UAE. The SHC has ruled in favor of the petitioners and ordered release. The SHC order was assailed before the apex court . No stay was granted to the department.