KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) has directed the customs authorities and counsel for the petitioner to come prepare and file their comments on the next date of hearing on a constitutional petition filed by Long Khan against seizing of his Hino truck bearing registration number AE-1636 seized by the customs officials. A two-member bench, comprising Justice Munib Akhtar and Justice Umer Sial, was hearing the petition.
Earlier, counsel for the petitioner stated that petitioner is lawful owner of the vehicle and never involved in any crime, however, officials of the Anti-Smuggling Organization Customs Collecorate Hyderabad intercepted his Hino truck which was loaded plastic scrap. During the search, driver produce all relevant documents, however, the customs officials seized his vehicle without lawful authority and shown any lawful reason.
Being aggrieved, petitioner moved to Customs Appellate Tribunal which allowed his appeal and directed customs officials to release his vehicle, however, high officials of the customs department are not following court’s order.
Citing Secretary Finance and Director, Customs Appellate Tribunal, Collector of Customs Appeals, Deputy Collector of Customs Adjudication, Customs Collectorate, Hyderabad as respondents, petitioner pleaded the court may direct them to release his vehicle immediately.
He also pleaded the court may restrain them from taking any coercive action against him till final order of this petition.