KARACHI: A division bench of High Court of Sindh (SHC) comprising Justice Munib Akhtar and Justice Agha Faisal on Wednesday ordered that export of hide be allowed on payment of duty and taxes according to weight. The bench throw out the comments filed by Pakistan Tanners Association observing that they have no ground to interfere into determination of custom value.
The bench on a previous hearing asked the Pakistan Customs to follow the most recent judgment in petition challenging valuation enhancement cases and to release a consignment of animal hides by Qasim Brothers.
The bench earlier heard the counsel for petitioner who submitted that Pakistan Customs was assessing the animal hides on square foot purportedly on the basis of a letter by Pakistan Tanners Association. The counsel from Franklin Law Associates submitted that letter from any association could not have any bearing on the assessment of exportable/importable goods and that customs should assess the consignment on per kilogram basis. He also pointed out to the court the most recent judgment in 25-D cases.
Today comments were filed by the PTA at which the bench frowned and rejected the same holding that a private body or association has no role or right to influence determination of value or taxes in respect of an importer or exporter.
The bench with the above observation disposing off the petition directed Pakistan Customs to release the consignment forthwith and also to issue a delay detention certificate in favour of the petitioner Qasim Brothers.