KARACHI: An appellate bench of High Court of Sindh (SHC) comprising Justice Irfan Saadat Khan and Justice Arshad Hussain Khan yesterday stayed auction of Indian printed cloth.

The bench was hearing a constitution petition filed by Uniform Centre which imported three  consignments of polyester cloth from India. According to the petitioner, the first consignment was released but later on it was detained. The custom then categorized the consignment into three parts one of printed, second light color and third ordinary polyester.

The custom said it will confiscate 2300 kilograms of printed one as the same was banned item and not importable. The relevant authority passed Order in Original for confiscating the printed polyester while allowing release of the remaining 80 per cent of the consignment to be released on payment of custom duty and other taxes applicable.

Hyder Shaikh advocate appearing for the petitioner today informed the court that undisputed portion  of the consignment was released on Saturday while the respondents are rushing to auction the  remaining detained cloth. He prayed to the court to stay the auction of the goods. The bench allowing the request restrained the custom authorities from auctioning the 20 per cent remaining consignment. The bench deferred further proceedings till  second week of August.