KARACHI: Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar of High Court of Sindh (SHC) on Wednesday adjourned hearing of a suit filed by Fauji Cement Factory till April 05 seeking exemption under SRO 484 of 1995 (on import of plant/machinery for cement manufacturing).

The court earlier heard an application for an urgent hearing filed by Pakistan Customs seeking quick disposal of case/ controversy dating back to 1995.

According to detail petitioner company import plant machinery in 1995 and sought exemption from custom duty and other taxes under SRO 484/1995. The custom authorities denied the exemption which lead to a series of litigation before LHC, SHC, Supreme Court and ultimately before SHC.

As apex court ruled in favor of customs, the department raised a demand of rupees 80 Crore against which the instant suit was filed.

In an identical case, Lucky Cement was asked to pay rupees 942 million but the hearing was deferred by the bench till April 20.