KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) directed counsel for the petitioner to file his rejoinder on next date of hearing on a petition filed by M/s Getco Agencies against lodging FIR and suspended its NTN/ID of customs clearing agent, who allegedly was involved in a case of fraudulent clearance of restricted betel nuts and fireworks in the garb of plastic material.
On February 26, 2019, a two-member bench headed by Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi was hearing the matter.
During the hearing, counsel for the customs department filed comments in which court was informed that petitioner is involved in a case of fraudulent clearance of restricted betel nuts and fireworks in the garb of plastic material and petitioner is not entitled to any relief, therefore, court may dismiss the petition.
After filing of comments, court directed counsel for the petitioner to file his rejoinder on next date of hearing.
Earlier, counsel for the petitioner stated that customs officials lodged a first information report and claimed that the importers with the active connivance of their clearing agent and other associates have deliberately mis-delcared description of the impugned goods and tried to replace the imported goods with other ones with the intent to get illegal clearance of the restricted items, evading legitimate heavy amount to national exchequer.
Counsel stated that after lodging FIR, customs officials suspended NTN/ID of clearing agent illegally.
Citing chairman Federal Board of Revenue, additional collector of Customs Appraisement West and others as respondents, petitioner pleaded the court to please set aside order of blocking of the NTN/ ID of customs clearing agent.