KARACHI: A divisional bench of High Court of Sindh (SHC) comprising Chief Justice Sajjad Ali Shah and Justice Zulfiqar Ahmed Khan ordered payment of sale proceed to a petitioner at earliest.

The bench was hearing a constitution petition against Customs Preventive who confiscated a smuggled Toyota Land Cruiser as vehicles was in use without payment of custom duty etc. The petitioner filing a petition through Ms Dil Khurram Shaheen advocate maintained that he has applied under the Amnesty Scheme but his request was turned down. The petitioner requested for the release of the vehicle. The SHC bench deciding the petition eight months ago ordered the respondents to release the vehicle.

Yesterday, the bench expressing annoyance gave 24 hours to the Customs, Preventive to implement the court’s order or in case of failure Chief Collector, Customs, Preventive was ordered to appear in person.

Today Acting Chief Collector/DG Afghan Transit appeared before the court. The officer informed the court that the vehicles impounded has been auctioned as per law. The Customs department that he failed to convey the factual position to the Court and the entire issues is of “ill coordination” between the respondent department and the government lawyer blamed the law officer of the federation.

The bench after this admission of guilt by the respondents ordered them to pay the sale proceeds to the petitioner at the earliest and disposed of the application.