KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) directed customs officials and deputy attorney general to file their para-wise comments on a constitutional petition filed by M/s Ibrahim & Sons against assessment of imported consignments of tissue papers and demand of duties and taxes on the basis of Valuation Ruling No 1339 of 2018 dated 09.10.2018.
On December 13, 2018, a two-member bench, headed by Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi, heard the matter.
During the hearing, counsel for the petitioner stated in his petition that petitioner is active commercial importer as well as wholesaler for tissue paper of Chinese-origin and he imported consignments of tissue paper from Dubai and filed goods declaration according with law.
Counsel argued that petitioner is seriously aggrieved and highly prejudiced by the actions of the respondents, whereby, they are assessing the imported consignments of tissue paper and demanding duties and taxes on the basis of Valuation Ruling No 1399 of 2018, despite the fact that impugned VR is not sustainable as per laws.
Citing chairman Federal Board of Revenue, chief collector of Customs Appraisement South, Collector of Customs Appraisement East, West and Director Directorate General of Customs Valuation as respondents, importer pleaded the court to declare that act of the respondents as illegal, mala fide and arbitrary.
Importer also pleaded the court to direct them not to assess the imported tissue paper as per Valuation Ruling No.1399/ 2018 and restrain them from taking any coercive action against the petitioner till final order in this petition.