KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) has directed customs officials and counsel for the petitioner to come prepare and argue on a constitutional petition filed by M/s Nutshall Traders, seeking exemption in duty and taxes on a consignment of tiles imported from Sri Lanka, A two-member bench was hearing the petition.
During the hearing, counsel for the petitioner stated that petitioner is lawful importer and always fulfills all the liabilities according to the law and never involved in any criminal or tax evasion case.
He also stated that petitioner imported a consignment of tiles from Sri Lanka which arrived at Karachi Port. He filed Goods Declaration (GD) according to the law and sought exemption from duty and taxes under SRO 482/2009 dated 13/06/2009 under PTA like SAFTA, which is still in field on the imported consignment from Sri Lanka under the list of SAARC countries.
Citing Secretary Revenue Division, Collector of Customs Appraisement East, Ministry of Commerce and other as respondents, petitioner pleaded the court to declare the act of the respondents as illegal, mala fide and arbitrary.
He also pleaded the Sindh High Court may direct them to exempt the petitioner from duty and taxes under above mentioned SRO and restrain them from taking any coercive action against the petitioner till final order of the this petition.