KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) has directed parties to submit their arguments on a constitutional petition filed by M/S Ahmed Hassan Textile Mill (Private) Limited against demanding of Rs 15,550,537 being 10 percent customs duty and 17 percent sale tax on import of natural gas power generation unit. A two-member bench, comprising Justice Munib Akhtar and Justice Omer Sial, was hearing the petition.
Earlier, counsel for the petitioner stated that it has imported consignment 1 unit brand new complete Caterpillar model G 35 20C Sit a spark Ignited turbo charged after cooled of 1972 EKW KVA, continuous power at 1500 RPM, 3 Phase, 11000 Voltas 50 Hertz 0.8 power factor which reached Port Muhammad Bin Qasim and filed Goods Declaration (GD) according to the law.
He submitted that, however, the customs authorities raised a huge demand of Rs 15,550,537 being 10 percent customs duty, 17 percent sale tax, and income tax against the petitioner. He argued that the said item is exempted under 5th Schedule of the Customs Act, 1969.
Citing Chairman Federal Board of Revenue, Collector of Customs Collectorate Appraisement, Director General Directorate General of Customs Valuation and others as respondents, petitioner pleaded the court to declare the act of the respondents as illegal, mala fide and arbitrary.
He also pleaded the court to set aside impugned valuation and restrain them from taking any coercive action against the petitioner till final order of this petition.