KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) has directed the respondents to maintain the status-quo until the next date of hearing on a constitutional petition filed by Shafiullah, seeking de-sealing of his premises which was sealed by officials of the deputy collector of customs collectorate Preventive.
A two-member bench, comprising Justice Munib Akhter and Justice Anwar Hussain, adjourned the hearing for September 27, 2016.
Earlier, the counsel stated that the petitioner is a law abiding citizen and owns Sami Group International and has good reputation in the field of business. According to the petitioner, on August 29, 2016 at 04:3pm some officers on behalf of the deputy collector of Customs Collectorate, Preventive came to the premises godown situated at plot no-272, Gul-Bai Shershah near Mari Pur Road, Karachi and detained all the relevant documents, laptop, USB etc and sealed the premises. He said that the petitioner was barred from entering the premises.
The counsel further argued that the act of the respondents is illegal, malafide, unjustified and violation of the article 10 of the constitution.
Citing Secretary Revenue Division and Deputy Collector of Customs Model Customs Collectorate, Preventive as respondents, he pleaded the SHC may direct the respondents to de-seal the premises of the petitioner and restrain the respondents from taking any coercive action against the petitioner.