KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) reserved order with other connected petitions including constitutional petition filed by M/s Digicom (Q Mobile) against regularity duty on imports of various items including Q Mobile GMS mobile phones and other similar products/ goods under SRO 1035(1)/ 2017. A two-member bench, headed by Justice Munib Akhtar was hearing the petition.
During the hearing, counsel for the M/s Digicom (Q Mobile) stated that the issues raised in this petition are already before the court which has been heard and reserved by the court, he prayed that this matter may be reserved along with connected bunch, during the hearing, counsel for the customs authorities stated that they have no objection, if court reserves said petition with connected bunch.
After the hearing, court stands reserved along with connected bunch and directed office to make ensure that same will be attached along with other constitutional petitions.
Earlier, counsel for the petitioner said that it in engaged in the lawful business of import of phones and always fulfills all the legal formalities, he submitted that respondents notified SRO 1035(1)/ 2017 exercise power under section 18 (8) of the Customs Act, 1969 imposed a regularity duty on imports of various items including Q Mobile GMS mobile phones and other similar products/ goods.
citing Chairman Federal Board of Revenue, Collector of Customs Collectorate Appraisment West, Collector of Customs Collectorate Appraisment East, Collector of Customs Collectorate Appraisment Port Muhammad Bin Qasim and others as respondents, he pleaded the court to declare the act of the respondents as illegal, mala fide and arbitrary.
He also pleaded the court may set aside impugned valuation ruling and restrain them from taking any coercive action against the petitioner till final decision in this petition by this court.