MIRPURKHAS:
Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Mirpurkhas set up a protest camp on Sunday against a proposed government license for a new liquor shop in the area.
Hundreds of residents filled objection forms addressed to commissioner Mirpurkhas and the special revenue authority, demanding immediate cancellation of the liquor shop’s licence.
Objections raised by the protesters also included a call for strict action against other specialty liquor stores in the city that allegedly misuse licenses issued to minorities by openly selling alcohol to Muslim youth.
JI leaders criticized the government for promoting alcohol consumption, which they say is prohibited by all major religions, including Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism and Sikhism.
The protesters also highlighted the lack of basic sanitation facilities in Mirpurkhas. “While thousands of citizens have to travel long distances to receive medical care, the government facilitates the sale of liquor in residential areas,” they added.
It is worth noting that provincial governments make a substantial amount of money from excise taxes on liquor sales. The sale of liquor is only allowed to non-Muslims. However, the ban on sale of liquor to Muslims is followed with only a fig leaf. Sellers of specialty liquor rarely ask buyers to present identification documents to confirm their religion.
According to the Sindh budget for the year 2024-25, the provincial government expects to earn Rs 2,992.36 million from the sale of malt liquor and taxes on beer made in Pakistan. Additionally, it hopes to pocket Rs 4,877.893 million from the tax on spirits manufactured in Pakistan and classified as foreign spirits. In addition, Rs 1,263,362 is expected to reach the provincial fund as license fees for the sale of foreign liquor. PPI
