KARACHI: The hearing of a number of identical petitions filed by importers of “Grey Fabric” including leading petition filed by Horizon International was adjourned till Monday, Aug 28 when counsel for respondent Custom department will submit arguments.
Earlier an appellate bench of High Court of Sindh (SHC) comprising Justice Munib Akhtar and Justice Zulfiqar Ahmed Khan heard arguments on law by Naheed A Shahid, Adnan Motan and Ghulam Hyder Shaikh. Hyder Shaikh argued about valuation and ‘fishing inquiry’ and maintained that in the presence of documents submitted by the petitioners on demand by the Custom officials , there was no need to search on online system and Custom officials are bound under law to accept the “origin” as mentioned in Goods Declaration filed by an importer.
The bench after conclusion of arguments by the petitioners counsel adjourned furtherhearing till Monday when Sohail Muzaffar advocate, counsel for Pakistan Customs, Valuation will submit his arguments.
The case pertains to import of a number of consignments of polyster fabric, unfinished and un-dyed purportedly imported from UAE’s free port. The petitioner claim it to be of Chinese origin while Customs department rejecting the claim maintains that it was of Indian origin and hence fell into banned item of import as no manufacturer in China makes the item imported.