KARACHI: Three senior custom officers faced the wrath of the court for failure in complying with the orders passed in a petition filed by Sahara Welfare Trust which imported used and old general articles including shoes, cloth etc for aged persons housed at its old homes.
Deputy Collector , East Raza Muhammad Naqvi, AC Hamza Lak and another appeared before the court in a contempt of court notice. They tendered unconditional apology taking the ground that the failed to understand the short order of the court and as soon as detailed reasons were available, they have allowed exemption of duties, taxes and consignment have been released. Only delay detention certificate is to be given to the petitioner organization.
Ms Dil Khurram Shaheen advocate representing the petitioner submitted that an incorrect report has been submitted by the alleged contemnors with Member Inspection Team (MIT) of SHC and alleged contemnors are delaying the release for mala fide reasons. She also alleged that on instigation of East Collectorate, West Collectorate has also detained one consignment of the petitioner. She submitted that order of the SHC dated 17-4-2019 was being violated.
The bench taking a strong exception disapproved the actions by the alleged contemnors and observed that such action and defiance of court orders may land them in prison. The bench later accepting the unconditional apology tendered by the three senior custom officers present since morning ordered them to comply with the order and do the needful including issuance of delay detention certificate to the petitioner. The bench later adjourned further proceedings till May 24 exempting the officers from personal appearance if they implement the order in full.