NAB summons CM Buzdar for allegedly issuing illegal liquor licences

CM Punjab to appear before the anti-graft body on August 12

LAHORE:

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Thursday summoned Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar for allegedly issuing illegal liquor licences.

CM Buzdar would appear before anti-graft body on August 12

The bureau has accused the Punjab chief minister of illegally using powers of director-general excise and issuing liquor permits to a private hotel in Lahore.

On May 24, in view of the threat of sale of poisonous liquor on the occasion of Eidul Fitr, Punjab DG Excise and Taxation Hafiz Ziaul Mustafa issued a letter to stop the sale of illegal liquor and take necessary steps.

Some unscrupulous elements use clinical alcohol, sedative tablets and juices of rotten fruits to brew liquor which is then sold in bottles of local and foreign brands. In the past scores of people have died and many more have gone blind from this locally brewed concoction.

The DG also directed to pay special attention to liquor license holders on the occasion of Eid. A letter issued from the office of the DG said that several people have been affected by drinking toxic liquor in recent years which has embarrassed the government.

Bootleggers making this toxic moonshine were likely to bring out their product on the festive occasion of Eid to grab the merriment mood of poor people who could not afford a pint of legally sold liquor available from licenced excise shops.

The letter said more vigilance is needed to stop the sale of poisonous liquor during Eid and added special attention should be paid to liquor license holders.