PESHAWAR: The legal dispute over the release of seized imported goods has intensified after customs authorities allegedly failed to comply with a clear order of the Peshawar High Court, prompting the importer to issue a final legal notice and warn of contempt proceedings.
The legal notice, served through Advocate Ishaq Ali Qazi to the Collector of Customs (Enforcement), states that despite the Peshawar High Court’s judgment dated June 11, 2026, directing the immediate release of the seized goods upon submission of pay orders equivalent to their value, the customs authorities have yet to hand over the consignments.
According to the notice, the seized items consist of black pepper and cashew nuts. The High Court had ordered that the goods be released after the petitioner deposited pay orders matching the assessed value of the consignments. The petitioner subsequently complied with the court’s directions and submitted the required pay orders.
However, the notice alleges that at the eleventh hour, customs officials imposed additional demands for duties and taxes and withheld the release of the goods, despite the court’s explicit directions. The petitioner contends that these additional demands are unlawful and amount to a deliberate attempt to frustrate and circumvent the High Court’s judgment.
The notice further states that black pepper and cashew nuts are perishable commodities and are susceptible to deterioration if not stored under appropriate conditions. Owing to the continued detention of the consignments, the petitioner claims to be suffering irreparable financial losses on a daily basis.
The legal notice argues that once the petitioner had fulfilled the conditions laid down by the High Court, the customs authorities were legally bound to implement the judgment in letter and spirit and had no authority to impose fresh conditions or create further impediments to the release of the goods.
The petitioner has given the customs authorities a final period of 48 hours to comply with the High Court’s order and release the seized consignments forthwith. Failing this, the notice warns that contempt of court proceedings, a claim for damages, and other appropriate legal actions will be initiated against the concerned officials.
Legal experts say that the matter could once again land before the Peshawar High Court, where the petitioner is expected to seek contempt action against the customs authorities for the alleged non-compliance with the court’s judgment.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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