KARACHI: Disposing off four identical contempt of court applications filed by importers of vehicle tyres including Tayyab Traders, Ateeq Traders, a customs appellate bench of High Court of Sindh (SHC) on Monday accepted an unconditional apology tendered by Deputy Collector Customs, West Raza Naqvi and an Assistant Collector.

Earlie a counsel from Franklin Law Associates appearing for applicants/petitioners submitted that the issue was of classification dispute and  the alleged contemnors instead of issuing show cause etc encashed sureties deposited with them. They have been restrained from encashment but by now they have encashed 70 per cent of the sureties, the counsel contended arguing the contempt application.

Khalil Dogar advocate appearing for the MCC East submitted that the User ID of the petitioner was deblocked in compliance of orders of the bench and encashment was “inadvertant” for which alleged contemnors are tendering apology.

The bench accepted the same and ordered them that show cause will be issued within a month or the sureties will be refund after that date. The customs officers concerned were also warned to remain “careful”  in future.