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 the Commissioner Mirpurkhas and the excise authority, demanding the immediate cancellation of the liquor shop license.
The objections raised by the protestors also included a call for strict action against other excise liquor shops in the city that allegedly misuse licenses issued for minorities by selling alcohol openly to Muslim youth.
JI leaders criticised the government for promoting alcohol consumption, which they argued is prohibited by all major religions, including Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, and Sikhism.
The protesters also highlighted the lack of basic healthcare facilities in Mirpurkhas. "While thousands of citizens have to travel long distances for medical care, the govt facilitates liquor sales in residential areas," they added.
It is worth noting that the provincial governments earn substantial amount of money from excise tax on the sale of liquor. The sale of liquor is allowed only for non-Muslims. However, the ban on sale of liquor to Muslims is followed with only a fig leaf. Excise liquor shop salesmen rarely ask buyers to present identity cards to confirm their religion.
According to the Sind Budget for the year 2024-25, the provincial government expects to earn Rs2,992.36 million through sale of malt liquors and duty on beer manufactured in Pakistan. Moreover, it expects to pocket Rs4,877.893 million from the duty on spirits manufactured in Pakistan and classed as foreign spirits. Additionally, Rs1,263.362 re expected to land in the provincial kitty under the head of license fee for the sale of foreign liquor. PPI
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