KARACHI: A custom appellate bench of High Court of Sindh on Friday stayed contempt proceedings initiated by Custom Appellate Tribunal (CAT) against the Collectors of Custom including Collector SAPT.

The orders came in a Special Custom Reference Application No 381 of 2024 in which appellant departments challenged a common order passed by the lower forum in three identical appeals filed by Dhanani Enterprises Karachi.

Sardar Zafar Hussain Advocate argued the applications seeking stay of the contempt proceedings on ground that SCRA has been filed and matter is pending before the High Court of Sindh, hence contempt application and its entertainment by the Custom Appellate Tribunal has no force in law.

The SHC bench noted that despite issuance of notices to the respondents, none appeared for them. The bench also ordered repeat of notice for 22.8.2024 while restraining the tribunal from taking any coercive action against the applicants.