The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed appeals against the regulatory duty on the import of raw materials for garment packaging.
A three-member bench, headed by Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah and comprising Justice Ayesha Malik and Justice Aqeel Abbasi, heard the case.
The petitioner’s counsel argued that the regulatory duty on packaging raw materials constitutes unequal treatment. Justice Mansoor Ali Shah remarked that the federal government can impose regulatory duty and that it is a policy matter of the federation. He noted that the federal government is authorized to decide on whom to impose regulatory duty.
Justice Ayesha Malik stated that the court’s role is not to evaluate fiscal policy. Justice Aqeel Abbasi pointed out that the high courts have also dismissed the appeals.
The lawyer argued that there is another raw material of the same nature on which regulatory duty has not been imposed. Justice Mansoor Ali Shah responded that if that is the case, then the petitioner should order the raw materials on which there is no regulatory duty, emphasizing that the court will not interfere in financial policy. He stated that the Supreme Court, as a court, cannot negotiate on regulatory duty.
The Supreme Court dismissed the appeal against the decision of the High Court.
