STAFF REPORTER
PESHAWAR : Customs authorities are facing the prospect of contempt proceedings after allegedly failing to implement a clear directive of the Peshawar High Court (PHC) ordering the release of seized imported goods, prompting the importer to issue a final legal notice demanding compliance within 48 hours.
The legal notice, served through Advocate Ishaq Ali Qazi to the Collector of Customs (Enforcement), states that despite the PHC’s judgment dated June 11, 2026, directing the immediate release of the seized consignments upon submission of pay orders equivalent to their assessed value, the authorities have yet to hand over the goods.
According to the notice, the consignments comprise black pepper and cashew nuts. The High Court had ordered their release after the petitioner deposited pay orders matching the value of the seized goods. The petitioner subsequently fulfilled the court-mandated requirements and submitted the necessary pay orders.
However, the notice alleges that customs officials later imposed additional demands for duties and taxes and withheld the release of the consignments despite the court’s explicit directions. The petitioner contends that these fresh demands are unlawful and constitute a deliberate attempt to circumvent and frustrate the implementation of the High Court’s judgment.
The notice further points out that black pepper and cashew nuts are perishable commodities that are vulnerable to deterioration if not stored under appropriate conditions. As a result of the continued detention of the consignments, the importer claims to be suffering substantial and irreparable financial losses on a daily basis.
It argues that once the petitioner had complied with all conditions stipulated by the High Court, customs authorities were legally obligated to implement the judgment in both letter and spirit and had no lawful authority to impose new conditions or create additional hurdles to the release process.
The importer has given customs authorities a final 48-hour deadline to comply with the court’s order and release the seized goods forthwith. Failing compliance, the notice warns that contempt of court proceedings, claims for damages, and other legal remedies will be pursued against the officials concerned.
Legal experts believe the dispute could soon return to the Peshawar High Court, where the petitioner is expected to seek contempt action against customs authorities for alleged non-compliance with the court’s ruling.
