950826

LHC moved

against levy of

PSI mark fee

RIZWANUR REHMAN RAZI

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) has issued notices to the Federal Government and Pakistan Standard Institutions in a writ petition challenging the charging of 0.25 percent as PSI mark fee.

These notices were issued by the court in writ petition moved by M/s Continental Technologies (Pvt) Limited, a unit of Syyed Bhais Group, which is engaged in production of tubelights in Pakistan.

Counsel for the petitioner Syyed Mansoor Ali Shah submitted that Pakistan Standard Institution (PSI) which was developed through an ordinance in 1961 used to provide Standardization mark of PSI to the different producers. The PSI also issues a licence to different firms to use PSI mark after the payment of certain fee.

It was submitted that Deputy Director PSI through an amendment on May 18, 1994, wherein the licence holders were directed to submit 0.25 percent as PSI mark fee of the total production. Terming it without lawful authority it was submitted that PSI ordinance which had brought said amendment in the previous one, stood lapsed in spite of the fact that federal government had re-promulgated the ordinance thrice.

It was submitted that respondent denied to renew the licence of the petitioner which is without any lawful authority. It was also prayed that the respondent may be directed to renew the licence of the petitioner and charging of the 0.25 percent fee may be stayed.