KARACHI: A customs appellate bench of High Court of Sindh (SHC) comprising Justice Junaid Ghaffar and Justice Agha Faisal on Thursday ordered Additional Collector Customs, Appraisement West to submit compliance report on Oct 19.

The bench was hearing four identical petitions filed by importer of vintage cars who maintained that vintage cars imported into Pakistan are releasable on payment of US $ 5000 per unit under SRO831 of 2018.

The counsel for petitioners maintained that respondent officials are not acceping the GDs filed and denying release of the vehicles.

Khalid Rajpar advocate appearing with ADC Saad Ata Rabbani of MCC, Appraisement, West contended that SRO referred / relied upon by the petitioner side is a subject matter of a CPLA filed before the apex court. He submitted that the SRO is violative of principles enunciated in Mustaf Impex case. The SRO under dispute is against the Rules of Business. It was issued by Finance Minister while it lacks assent by Federal Cabinet, submitted Khalid Raper.

The bench however was of the view that once GD is filed it is the duty of the collectorate concerned to assess the same and determine the custom duty and other taxes.

If the custom officers fails in performing as per mandate of law and custom rules they will be facing action, the bench said directing the ADC who appeared before the court to submit compliance report by Oct 19, the next date of hearing.