Sindh High Court Wednesday directed Travel Agents Association Pakistan to place on record amount so far charged by travel agents from international passengers and agreement signed with insurance company to provide air travel insurance.
A division bench, comprising Justice Amir Hani Muslim & Justice Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi, granted time to counsel for Travel Agents Association Pakistan to comply direction till October 13, 2010. The Association impugned show cause notice issued by Competition Commission of Pakistan and harassment by Federal Investigation Agency to travel agents in connection with alleged bogus inquiry.
Citing Secretary Interior Ministry, Director General FIA, Deputy Director & Inspector Muhammad Anwar as respondents, counsel submitted TAAP introduced insurance policy for passengers, who purchase international tickets.
Around 325, out of 600 members of association, were providing travel insurance on purchase of international ticket. It includes Personal Expenditure (death or disability) Rs 300,000, Loss of Travel Documents Rs 20,000, etc. Each passenger is charged Rs 600, while other companies charge Rs 2400 to Rs 10,000 per passenger, therefore, competitor companies were annoyed.
Counsel stated package is comparatively cheaper than offered by non-member competitor travel companies, which in connivance with Competition Commission of Pakistan got initiated bogus inquiry against petitioner. Subsequently, CCP was issuing show cause notice to travel agents, members of TAAP.
TAAP preferred appeal against CCP show cause notices before appellate bench, which was still pending adjudication. Now, FIA Inspector Muhammad Anwar also issued notice to travel agents, calling them for interrogation with documents, official record. He alleged FIA official demanded heavy amount to exonerate travel agents in fake inquiry. Counsel prayed to quash show cause notices issued by CCP and restrain FIA official from harassing.
On Wednesday, Standing Counsel Shahab Sarki appeared with FIA Inspector M Anwar, who stated no receipt of travel insurance charges was issued to any international passenger.
SHC division bench ordered: “It is settled position that travelling agents were charging Rs 600 from international passengers. It is claimed by FIA that no receipt was ever issued to passengers, as against this, counsel for petitioner stated that insurance amount was being charged by them and same passed on to insurance company under Insurance Policy, which was purchased by travelling agents. We have asked learned counsel to place on record copy of such policy, which as agreed between travelling agents and insurance company and also place on record details of amount which they used to pass on to Insurance Company.†Counsel requested for time, which was granted till October 13, 2010.
A division bench, comprising Justice Amir Hani Muslim & Justice Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi, granted time to counsel for Travel Agents Association Pakistan to comply direction till October 13, 2010. The Association impugned show cause notice issued by Competition Commission of Pakistan and harassment by Federal Investigation Agency to travel agents in connection with alleged bogus inquiry.
Citing Secretary Interior Ministry, Director General FIA, Deputy Director & Inspector Muhammad Anwar as respondents, counsel submitted TAAP introduced insurance policy for passengers, who purchase international tickets.
Around 325, out of 600 members of association, were providing travel insurance on purchase of international ticket. It includes Personal Expenditure (death or disability) Rs 300,000, Loss of Travel Documents Rs 20,000, etc. Each passenger is charged Rs 600, while other companies charge Rs 2400 to Rs 10,000 per passenger, therefore, competitor companies were annoyed.
Counsel stated package is comparatively cheaper than offered by non-member competitor travel companies, which in connivance with Competition Commission of Pakistan got initiated bogus inquiry against petitioner. Subsequently, CCP was issuing show cause notice to travel agents, members of TAAP.
TAAP preferred appeal against CCP show cause notices before appellate bench, which was still pending adjudication. Now, FIA Inspector Muhammad Anwar also issued notice to travel agents, calling them for interrogation with documents, official record. He alleged FIA official demanded heavy amount to exonerate travel agents in fake inquiry. Counsel prayed to quash show cause notices issued by CCP and restrain FIA official from harassing.
On Wednesday, Standing Counsel Shahab Sarki appeared with FIA Inspector M Anwar, who stated no receipt of travel insurance charges was issued to any international passenger.
SHC division bench ordered: “It is settled position that travelling agents were charging Rs 600 from international passengers. It is claimed by FIA that no receipt was ever issued to passengers, as against this, counsel for petitioner stated that insurance amount was being charged by them and same passed on to insurance company under Insurance Policy, which was purchased by travelling agents. We have asked learned counsel to place on record copy of such policy, which as agreed between travelling agents and insurance company and also place on record details of amount which they used to pass on to Insurance Company.†Counsel requested for time, which was granted till October 13, 2010.
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