KARACHI: The Divisional Bench of Sindh high court has dismissed an earlier single bench ruling regarding release of the consignment of M/s Master Beverages & Foods on payment of Rs220 million duty and taxes.
MCC Port Qasim approached High court through an intra-court appeal submitting that the company would most likely be imposed fine and penalty of Rs25 to Rs30 million.
MCC Port Qasim has approached the Court seeking permission to encash the bank guarantees so that the government revenue could be secured. Moreover, Customs is of the view that the goods should not be released until after the adjudication orders and recovery thereof.
MCC Port Qasim has submitted that this is a high-profile fiscal fraud case and Customs is willing to proceed as per law.
The Divisional Bench set aside the earlier order for release of goods on payment of duty and taxes and remanded the case back to single bench for re-deliberation. The court would convene hearing in this regard on June 16, 2016.
Chairman FBR Nisar Mohammd Khan has introduced this policy that senior officers such as Additional collector or Deputy Collector should accompany the Customs’ legal team at the court for support.
On the directives of Collector Port Qasim Moazzam Jah, Additional Collector Mohammad Tahir formed a team comprising DC Tahir Abbas, PAs Tariq Aziz, Babar Kabeer and Asad Ali to pursue the case before the court.
MCC Port Qasim has detected the largest ever duty/tax evasion on just one consignment to the tune of Rs170 million by M/s Master Beverages and Food Limited, Gujranwala, a company of Master Group largely known for their Master Tiles.
The company attempted to evade legitimate government revenue through under stating the cost of an imported machinery/equipment and concealing the original invoice of higher value.