Another alcohol tragedy

Unfortunately, the consumption of illegally brewed alcoholic drinks is widespread


Editorial March 23, 2016
Poisonous alcohol kills 40 ahead of Holi. PHOTO: REUTERS

It is a sad reality that once invented or discovered, it is impossible to reverse the process and un-invent or un-discover that which has been revealed. From time immemorial, humankind has made fermented drinks containing alcohol from a range of substances from rice to wheat to potatoes to any other ingredient that may be fermented. The production and consumption of alcoholic drinks in Pakistan is strictly regulated and limited, at least theoretically, to the non-Muslim minority population. Unfortunately, the consumption of illegally brewed alcoholic drinks is widespread and tragedies such as that now being reported as having happened in Tando Muhammad Khan District are disturbingly common. As many as 40 people may have died from consuming tainted liquor, including women. Two of the victims were Muslim but the majority was Hindu, presumably drinking in celebration of the Holi festival. The number of dead is likely to be higher as some families will not report a death due to alcohol consumption.

Recurrent events such as this have links to corruption in the forces of law and order, and corrupt police play a part in the ‘facilitation’ of illegal brewing and distribution. The police also on occasion interdict illegal alcohol with 65,000 litres being found recently, according to a senior police officer. This is a considerable haul but even so is probably the tip of the iceberg as far as illegal alcohol distribution and consumption is concerned. There has been concern about ‘leakage’ from various diplomatic missions but, compared to the scale of illegal produce nationally, the amounts are tiny. The real problem lies within marginalised and poor communities. The middle classes and the wealthy can afford the unadulterated ‘real thing’ and mass poisonings in that demographic are extremely rare. Pakistan has a largely unacknowledged alcohol problem that crosses social classes. Treatment facilities are scarce and poorly regulated and in a cash-strapped health service, prioritising finance for self-inflicted wounds finds little favour. The alcohol problem, legal or illegal, is only ever going to get worse and un-invention is not an option.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 24th, 2016.

Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.

COMMENTS

Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ