Liquor ban motion fizzles in Sindh Assembly

KARACHI: The Sindh Assembly rejected the resolution calling for the imposition of a province-wide ban on the sale and purchase of liquor in the state after debating it, even though the debate had become light-hearted at times.

The motion was tabled by Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) lawmaker Anil Kumar, who proposed that the licenses of liquor shops should be cancelled.

He argued that liquor was being sold in the name of minorities, which was a matter of disrepute to the Hindu community. He demanded that the provincial government withdraw all the previously issued permits to liquor shops and impose a complete ban on the sale of liquor in Sindh.

Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar said the blanket ban would affect several sections of society. He termed it 'Kumar's personal opinion' and said the government could not support this as sales were already governed under the existing law.

In Sindh, liquor is sold under a controlled licensing system, primarily to non-Muslim citizens and foreigners, in accordance with legal provisions.

Legislators of different political parties shared their views on the issue during the debate. During the debate, there were moments of laughter in the House before the legislation was voted on and overwhelmingly defeated by a majority.

After completing the agenda, the speaker adjourned the session until Friday afternoon.

MQM-P lawmaker speaking in the assembly during the budget discussion said, "It is highly deplorable that the Resolution on the sale of Liquor was rejected." Speaking to *The Express Tribune*, the MQM-P lawmaker said, "Liqueur sale, manufacturing, and consumption are prohibited in the Hindu religion." "Not in our name!" He said in rejection of the government's claim that the sale of liquor is allowed in the name of minorities. "If the Muslim community wants to consume, let them find loopholes instead of buying and then consuming the prohibited Liquor in the name of the Hindu community."

He claimed that the license for the Excise Liquor Shop is a huge racket where there is only bribery and gratification from top to bottom in the PPP Government.

The majority of the poor Hindu population cannot afford the Pakistani brands of alcohol available at the Govt Excise Shops.

Liquor shop licenses: The licenses for liquor shops are obtained from minorities by the owners of liquor shops, who obtain copies of the CNICs of poor people. These licenses are produced at the liquor shop to provide liquor to walk-in customers who have only legal tender for acquiring the forbidden item. It has been observed that anyone may walk into an Excise Liquor Shop, order the required alcohol, pay for the bottle, and walk away. No questions are ever asked.

On the other hand, Jamaat Ahle Sunnat Pakistan Karachi President Javed Ahmed has termed the Sindh Assembly’s decision to reject the resolution for a ban on liquor sales “deeply regrettable,” stating it had embarrassed Muslims all over the country.