Liquor bottles are overflowing outside an excise liquor shop in DHA on Korangi Road. Photo: Express
KARACHI:
The Sindh Assembly has rejected a resolution seeking a province-wide ban on the sale and purchase of liquor after a debate that turned light-hearted at several points during the session.
The resolution was moved by Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) legislator Anil Kumar, who called for cancellation of liquor shop licenses across the province.
Kumar alleged that alcohol was being sold in the name of minorities, which he said brought disrepute to the Hindu community. He demanded that the provincial government withdraw all existing licenses issued to liquor shops and impose a complete ban on the sale of liquor in Sindh.
The proposal sought strict restrictions on the sale of alcohol, stating that such a move would be in line with public interest and social values. However, the resolution was opposed in the assembly.
Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar said imposing a blanket ban would affect several sections of society. He called the proposal “Kumar’s personal opinion” and said the government could not support it as alcohol sales were already regulated under existing laws.
In Sindh, liquor is sold under a controlled licensing system, primarily to non-Muslim citizens and foreigners, in accordance with legal provisions.
Lawmakers from different parties expressed their views during the debate. For several moments, the discussion raised laughter in the hall, before the resolution was put to a vote and rejected by a majority.
After concluding the agenda, the speaker adjourned the session till Friday afternoon.
The MQM-P MPA while talking to The Express Pakinomist said that it was highly regrettable that the decision against sale of liquor was rejected. He said that the manufacture, sale and consumption of liquor is prohibited in the Hindu religion. “Not in our name!” He said strongly rejecting the government’s claim that liquor sales are for minorities. “If Muslims want to imbibe, they should find loopholes themselves instead of buying and drinking the banned drink in the name of the Hindu community,” the lawmaker stressed.
He claimed that the Excise Liquor Shop license is a huge racket where bribery and gratification runs from top to bottom in the OPP government.
The majority of the poor Hindu population cannot afford the Pakistani branded liquor sold in the state-owned excise shops.
Liquor shop owners acquire copies of CNICs of poor people from the minorities and get permits in their name. These permits are used to sell liquor to walk-in customers who only have legal tender to obtain the prohibited beverage. It has been observed that anyone can walk up to the counter of an Excise Liquor Shop, request the desired bottle, pay the price and walk away. No questions asked.
Meanwhile, leaders of Jamaat Ahle Sunnat Pakistan (Karachi chapter) have termed the Sindh Assembly’s rejection of a resolution seeking a ban on liquor as “deeply regrettable” and said it had embarrassed Muslims across the country.
