KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) directed customs officials to file their para wise comments on a constitutional petition filed by M/s Younus & Co seeking order for processing/finalizing the goods declaration of consignments of non-woven interlining imported from China.
On July 16, 2019, a two-member bench, comprising Justice Muhammad Shafi Siddiqui and Justice Muhmood A Khan heard the matter.
During the hearing, counsel for the petitioner stated in his constitutional petition that petitioner during the course of his business activities imported hot melt adhesive and non-woven interlining from China and after the goods reached Port Muhammad Bin Qasim Container Terminal petitioner filed goods declaration and paid upfront duty and taxes.
He further argued that after filing the goods declaration and payment of duty and taxes the respondents stopped the processing of the goods declaration on the pretext that a demand cum show cause notice dated 27/06/2019 was initiated against the previous imports of petitioner.
He said that the notice was challenged before the collector appeals, Karachi and is still pending before the office of the collector appeals and undue delay in processing of the goods declaration of the petitioner is unlawful and is based on a litigation which has not attained finality and is still before the collector appeals.
Counsel submitted that petitioner is therefore left with no other choice but to approach the SHC to order/direct the respondents to process the goods declaration of the petitioner in accordance with law.
Citing secretary Revenue Division, Deputy Collector of Customs PRV/HQ Customs PMBQ and Assistant Collector of Customs Group-III MCC of PMBQ as respondents, petitioner pleaded the court may declare that direct the respondents to process/ finalize the goods declaration of the petitioner and grant such other relief or release which the court deems fit and proper under the circumstances of the case.