KARACHI: Hearing well articulated arguments advanced by Sardar Zafar Hussain Advocate, Penal lawyer of Pakistan Customs, a constitution bench of High Court of Sindh allowed his application for release of amount of fine etc running into billions of rupees.
The fines were imposed by the West, East, SAPT and Port Muhammad Bin Qasim Collectorates on importers who challenged the vires of an amendment in section 156 of the Customs Act 1969 wherein quantum of fine / penalty prescribed for release of certain sanctioned goods was enhanced.
28 identical petitions were filed importers and heard by constitutional bench which dismissed the same imposing a cost of rupees 100,000 per petition.
As a consequence of dismissal, Sardar Zafar Hussain filed appropriate applications seeking release of security amounts stating that there is no stay in the appeal with respect to the present controversy.
The bench allowed the request paving way for addition of billions of rupees in national kitty.