KARACHI: A customs appellate bench of High Court of Sindh (SHC) comprising Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi and Justice Abdul Malik Gaddi on Wednesday sought a compliance report from QICT and a shipping line by Feb 04.
The bench was hearing a petition filed by Arsalan Enterprises which imported blended suiting material from India. The consignment was detained on pretext that it was a banned item but the adjudicating authority ruled in favor of the importer. The department went into an appeal but appellate authority also maintained the ONO after which the consignment was released.
The QICT and shipping line however refused to entertain the delay detention certificate against which the instant petition was filed. A counsel from Franklin Law Associates appearing for the importer submitted that petitioner has no role in delay and instead it was due to mishandling by the custom authorities. It was contended that respondent QICT and shipping line is bound to honor the delay detention certificate.
The bench after hearing the sides while issuing notice for Feb 04 ordered the respondents to entertain the request for delay detention and to report compliance by next date of hearing.