KARACHI: An appellate bench of High Court of Sindh (SHC) comprising Justice Munib Akhtar and Justice Mrs Ashraf Jahan on Monday suspended a letter issued by Pakistan Tanners Association (PTA) asking the Pakistan Customs to assess the value of hides according to length (square feet).

The bench was hearing a constitutional petition filed by Qasim Brothers, exporters of hides. The petitioner represented by Franklin Law Associates submitted that as per tariff issued by Pakistan Customs, the value of hides is to be determined according to weight. Internationally also the assessment is made on the basis of weight, the petitioner’s counsel argued. He said that PTA is a private association and its letter is not binding upon Pakistan Customs. The unwarranted letter and assessment by customs of the basis of said letter is detrimental to export s from Pakistan which are dwindling too causing loss of precious foreign exchange, the petitioner’s counsel submitted.

The bench after hearing the counsel for petitioner ordered issuance of notices to the respondent Pakistan Customs for March 09 while suspending the PTA’s letter.