KARACHI: A division bench of High Court of Sindh (SHC) comprising Justice Munib Akhtar and Justice Omar Sial on Wednesday adjourned hearing of a constitutional petition filed by Digicom Trading seeking de-blocking of its NTN till today (Thursday).
At the outset of proceedings, the bench was informed by the Customs, Appraisement, West that they have given a notice under section 82 of the Customs Act 1969 to the Preventive Collectorate that they do not have the jurisdiction to block or de-block NTN of an importer. The act beyond jurisdiction bars petitioner/importer from filing Goods Declaration while state was deprived of revenue.
The petitioner moved the court through Franklin Law Associates maintained that a notice of auction of consignments was received by the importer company on ground that they have not filed GD’s (Goods Declaration). The petitioner maintained that its NTN has been blocked and for the reason was unable to file GD’s for the consignments which have reached the port and are in the pipe line. The petitioner moved a representation before the relevant custom authorities seeking 100 per cent examination and assessment of the duties etc for release of the consignments. The new imports/arrivals cannot be detained for a default in the past, the counsel from panel of lawyers of Franklin Law Associates argued seeking suspension of auction notice.
The respondent side also provided a copy of the notice to the petitioner side also after which the bench allowing time to Customs Preventive adjourned hearing for a day.