KARACHI: An appellate bench of High Court of Sindh will hear applications filed by plaintiffs in suits against Pakistan Customs while claiming that they have already deposited amounts of custom duty, taxes with the Nazir of SHC. The bench has sought a report from the Nazir to submit the details of amount lying with him
The applications were filed by importers of different items as they were hit by an order passed by Supreme Court of Pakistan dated 27-6-2018 wherein the apex court held that suits will be entertained and proceeded on the condition that a minimum of 50% of the tax calculated by the tax authorities is deposited with the authorities (Pakistan Customs).
The bench has allowed the dozens of appeals/applications by the importers challenging a judgment by a two member appellate bench of SHC which held that suits against assessment orders passed by the custom authorities denying concessions to them under different SRO’s are not maintainable. The division bench over ruled the order of single judge of SHC who entertained the suits as maintainable and that plaintiff are entitled to concessions.
The apex court ruling helped the FBR achieving its targets.