KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) directed customs officials to act strictly as per law on a constitutional petition filed by M/s Ayan Crop Sciences, M/s Ras International, M/s Greenmax Pvt Ltd and M/s Holsun Chemicals against holding their imported consignments of agriculture fertilizer sulphur.
On 15 September 2020, a two-member bench, headed by Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi was hearing the matter.
During the hearing, Imran Iqbal, Siddiq Zia and Saima Syed advocates appeared behalf of the petitioners and argued that petitioners are manufacturer of fertilizers, and importers of its raw material including sulphur who have imported the same from Dubai and filed goods declarations and paid duty and taxes accordingly.
They informed the court that where-after gate out message has been issued, however, when petitioners approached the customs authorities for the release of the subject goods, it has been investigation, whereas petitioner have not been confronted with any material nor issued any show cause notice to justify such hold.
Counsels submitted that respondents may be directed to process the subject goods declarations and release the consignments in accordance with law.
After the hearing, court observes in its order that “ let pre-admission notice be issued to the respondents as well as deputy attorney general of Pakistan through first three modes for a date be fixed after two weeks’ when comments, if any, shall be filed with advance copy to the learned counsel for the petitioner, in the meanwhile respondents are directed to act strictly in accordance with law”.