KARACHI: An appellate bench of High Court of Sindh (SHC) comprising Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi and Justice Abdul Malik Gaddi on Tuesday ordered Pakistan Customs to submit a compliance report in respect of consignments of air-conditioners including wall and split units by March 13.

The bench was hearing a petition filed by Hummak Engineering, Private Limited which imported a number of consignments. The customs detained the sameon ground that Letter of Credit and Invoice are not tallying. A show cause was also issued which was vacated later and order in original was also in favour of the petitioners. The amount in dispute was around 1,500,000. A counsel from Franklin Law Associates appearing for the petitioner/importer submitted that 30 identical consignments have been released while only consignment of petitioner are facing delay in release resulting in multiplication of demurrage. The counsel offered securing the disputed amount. The custom however declined demanding payment of fine and penalty also.

The bench today inquired that what law fine and penalty was being imposed, demanded. The bench later put of further hearing till March 13 while calling a compliance report and said in case of failure contempt proceedings would entail.