KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) issued notices to customs department and deputy attorney general on a petition filed by 21 importers including M/s Afzal International and others against valuation ruling no: 1390/2019.
On October 10, 2019, a two-member bench, headed by Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi heard the matter.
During the hearing, counsel for the petitioners argued that they are seriously aggrieved and highly prejudiced by the actions of customs officials, whereby they are assessing the imported consignments of ginger garlic and demanded duty and taxes on the basis of the valuation ruling no 1390/ 2019 dated 24/09/2019 issued by DG Valuation, despite the fact that the impugned valuation ruling is not sustainable in the eyes of the law and has accordingly been challenged by the petitioners under section 25D of the act, 1969 before DG Valuation.
He further submits that since the revision petition stands pending for final decision, the petitioner has sought provisional release of their consignments until final decision by the DG Valuation, however, respondents have refused such request on the basis of circular dated 22/11/2017.
Citing chairman FBR, the Chief Collector of Customs South, collector of Customs East, West and DG Valuation as respondents, petitioners pleaded the court to declare that the impugned valuation ruling no 1390/2019 is arbitrary, unlawful.
He further pleaded the court to restrain them from carrying out assessment their consignments on the basis of said valuation ruling and direct them to release consignments on provisional release and issue delay detention certificates.
Petition was filed by M/s Shamir Impex, M/s Ahmeed Enterprises, M/s Chirag Commodities, M/s Crown International Trading Establishment, M/s Hamid & Sons, M/S H.A Sons, M/s Inayat Enterprises, M/s AL Saeed Enterprises, M/s Ubaida & Brothers, M/s Tamour Ishraq & Company, M/s Shaikh Impex, M/s Aneel & Brothers, M/s Al Fazal International, M/s Moon Star Corporation, Chairman & Co and others.