KARACHI: Pakistan Customs was restrained from harassing an importer of the galvanized steel coils here on Friday by a customs appellate bench of High Court of Sindh (SHC) comprising Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi and Justice Mahmood A Khan.
Earlier Ovais Ali Shah advocate appearing for the petitioner submitted that the despite orders of the court to not harass the petitioner, custom officials have lodge a FIR 10 of 2019 in which Messrs A One Steel and Royal Steel are accused of connivance in smuggling steel coils. The coils 22 in number and weighing 203.41 M Ton were allegedly dumped at M A Chaudhry Goods company when the same were detained. According to FIR, the accused attempted to deprive government of rupees 1,3498852 in custom duties and other taxes.
The counsel relied on an order passed by this bench in case of United Marine Agency and said ingredients of offence of smuggling triable under section 2 (s) of the Customs Act 1969 are missing.
The bench after a detailed hearing ordered DIT of Pakistan Customs to not to harass the petitioners while deferring further hearing to a date to be fixed later by the office of the court.