KARACHI: The custom officials were restrained from any adverse action against shipping agent United Marine Agency.

The order came from a customs appellate bench comprising Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi and Justice Mahmood A Khan here on Wednesday. The bench earlier heard a counsel from Franklin Law Associates who submitted that a new FIR was lodged by the custom authorities in respect of an un-claimed consignment of old used clothes.

The counsel submits that the petitioner filed the IGM within 24 hours of the arrival of the cargo as per BL issued by Messrs Hamburg Limited. The importer however has not filed a GD and was accused of mis-declaration. The counsel said that if there is any contravention or violation of import policy or else, the shipping agent could not be held responsible.

The customs is harassing the petitioner and naming the petitioner company officials in FIR’s one after another.

The bench after hearing in detail ordered that officials of the petitioner shall not be arrested nor adverse action be taken against them. The bench later issued notices for 29-10-2019.