SC issues notices over petition challenging liquor shops closure in Sindh

Hearing in the case adjourned for a week

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Thursday issued notices to all respondents in a case relating to closure of liquor shops in Sindh.

A three-judge bench comprising Justice Saqib Nisar, Justice Khilji Arif Hussain and Justice Manzoor Malik issued notices after Justice Malik objected on the suspension of the Sindh High Court (SHC) order. The case was subsequently adjourned for a week.

Last month the Sindh High Court ordered closure of liquor shops in the province. On November 14, a petition filed on behalf of eight alcohol dealers from Sindh challenged the Sindh High Court’s (SHC) ruling to revoke all liquor shop licences and suspend their operations until the Supreme Court (SC) weighed in on the matter.



The appeal, moved by veteran lawyer Asma Jahangir, argued that the SHC verdict had jeopardised the livelihoods of more than 24,000 people affiliated with the business.

On October 27, Sindh High Court directed the provincial Inspector General (IG) police and Director General Excise Department to shutdown all liquor shops in the province. The court ordered the IG and DG Excise to implement court orders issued on October 18, revoking all licenses and closing all liquor shops.



The high court was disposing of two legal petitions, seeking closure of illegal liquor shops in the province. SHC also ordered the authorities to scrutinise requests of fresh licenses before issuing them and formulate a code of conduct in this regard.

The petitioner, Shaharyar David, had contended that the shops were operating in Muslim-populated areas without any justification. He had requested the court to direct the excise and taxation department to submit details of the licences granted to liquor shops and cancel them.