KARACHI: A divisional bench of High Court of Sindh comprising Chief Justice Sajjad Ali Shah and Justice Zulfiqar Ahmed Khan on Tuesday ordered Customs Preventive to file comments in a petition against alleged seizure of a consignment of mobile phones.
Ismat Mehdi advocate appearing for the petitioner submitted that on previous five dates of hearing Custom officials advanced one or another excuse and in the mean time Customs Preventive have taken away the consignment under a seizure memo.
She maintained that her client was suffering due to friction between the Preventive and Appraisement.
Kashif Nazeer Advocate representing Model Customs Collectorate (MCC) East confirmed that Anti Smuggling Organization (ASO) staff has taken away the consignment without assigning any reason or information to the Collectorate Appraisement, East.
Mr. Hashmi advocate appearing for the Customs Preventive said element of smuggling is involved. He sought time to file comments.
The bench disallowed the request asking him to submit comments by Wednesday and fixed further hearing on Thursday.
According to Ismat Mehdi advocate, custom duty has been paid as per Goods Declaration to the tune of rupees three, 4,000,000 adding that ego of two departments is hurting a lawful importer. She alleged that action by ASO is in excess of jurisdiction.