KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) has directed the Customs Department to make sure filing comments on a constitutional petition filed by M/s Usman Logistics (Private) Limited seeking restoration of its clearing agent license/NTN No/ user ID password blocked by customs officials due to allegedly involved in ISAF scam. A two-member bench, headed by Justice Munib Akhtar, heard the matter.
Earlier, counsel for the petitioner stated that the petitioner is being active as an clearing agent as well as customs private bonded carrier, is regularly and without fail has been submitting its goods declarations and monthly sales tax returns/ income tax returns and has never been involved in a sales tax evasion or any criminal activity.
The counsel argued that it is seriously aggrieved by action of the respondents who issued notice to the petitioner and allegation was fixed that petitioner is involved in ISAF scam, and suspended its business license i.e customs private bonded carrier license/ clearing agent license/ NTN No/ user ID password without fulfilling legal requirement and approval of competent authority.
Citing Chairman Federal Board of Revenue, Secretary Revenue Division, Collector of Customs Collectorate Appraisement West and others as respondents, petitioner stated that court to declare that act of the respondents as illegal, mala fide and arbitrary.
He also pleaded the court to restrain them from taking any coercive action against the petitioner and direct them to restore its NTN no immediately.
After the hearing, court issued notices and called comments from customs department and deputy attorney general for next date of hearing.