KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Tuesday issued notices to the customs department and deputy attorney general on a constitutional petition filed by M/s Blue Sky Enterprises against enhancement of valuation of imitation jewellery from $3.45-4.25 to $ 13.5/kg imported from India.
While the hearing of petition, a two-member bench, headed by Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi also directed them to file their respective para wise comments on next date of hearing.
Earlier, counsel for the petitioner stated that it is engaged in the lawful import of imitation jewellery and always fulfills all the legal requirements and never involved in any criminal case.
He submitted that in a rotten, it imported two consignments on imitation jewellery from India and filed Goods Declaration according with law as per US$ 3.45 & 4.25, however, he was shocked when officials of the customs department informed that valuation of the above mentioned goods has been enhanced at the rate of $13.5/kg.
He argued that customs officials have no power to enhance such valuation without approval of the concerned authorities.
Citing Chairman Federal Board of Revenue, Collector of Customs Collectorate Port Muhammad Bin Qasim, Collector of Customs Collectorate and others as respondents, he pleaded the court to declare that act of the respondents as illegal, mala fide and arbitrary.
He also pleaded the court to set aside impugned enhancement and restrain them from taking any coercive action against the petitioner till final order in this petition.
Importer also pleaded the court to direct them to release its consignments lay down at the port according with law and as per goods declaration filed my imported according with law.