KARACHI: A custom appellate bench of High Court of Sindh will hear arguments on law point that what would be the responsibility of a custom clearing agent if a container imported by a diplomatic mission turns out to be “wrongly shifted” The issue was raised during hearing of a Special Customs Reference Application (SCRA) filed by Muhammad Javaid Zubair, a custom clearing agent who was made accused in a case of alleged misdeclaration.
According to details, a container stated to be containing food items was imported by Nigerian Embassy. Pakistan Customs however found that it was being de-stuffed at a godown by co-accused Shakeel Ahmed, Masood Jameel, Imran Anwar, Muhammad Akhtar.
The appellant was fined for Rupees 500,000 while co-accused were fined for Rupees 100,000 each in Order in Original which was challenged before the Tribunal where they all were acquitted except appellant, hence SCRA was filed.
Ms Dil Khurram Shaheen advocate appearing for the appellant argued that appellant filed GD as per documents furnished by the Nigerian High Commission. There was a letter from Nigerian High Commission that it was a case of wrong shifting and in the presence of such a letter on record, no liability can be shifted on the clearing agent, she contended.
The bench after initial hearing fixed Oct 01 for detailed arguments from both sides particularly with reference to responsibility of a clearing agent.