KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) directed customs officials to conduct strictly in accordance with law and consider the request of the petitioner for release of its consignment on petition filed by M/s Safe Renewable Industries against holding its consignments by customs officials.
A two-member bench, headed by Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi heard the matter on October 17, 2018 and also issued notices to the customs department and deputy attorney general for next date of hearing.
During the hearing, counsel for the petitioner stated that petitioner is an extractor of oil through pyrolysis process from used and scrapped tyres in accordance with law, however, officials of the customs department detained its consignments for the last 10 months without any lawful authority and jurisdiction. Counsel further argued that act of this caused loss and mantel torture/ agony to the petitioner.
Citing Secretary Revenue Division, Secretary Climate Change, chairman Federal Board of Revenue, Chief Collector of Customs Appraisement East and West as respondents, he pleaded the court to declare that act of the respondents as illegal, mala fide and arbitrary.
Importer also pleaded the court to direct them to release its consignments and restrain them from taking any coercive action against the petitioner till final order in this petition.