Petition: Christians say liquor permits giving them a bad name

Petitioner states consumption of alcohol isn't allowed in Christianity, just like in Islam.

LAHORE: A group of Christians have argued that the fact that their community can sell alcohol is "giving them a bad name" in Pakistan. A petition was filed against the decision of the Federal Shariat Court that allows minorities to hold liquor permits in Pakistan as a result.

The petitioner stated that the consumption of alcohol isn't allowed in their religion, just like in Islam, and providing them with liquor permits is spreading misconceptions about Christians. The petition argued that the issuance of the liquor permit to Christians is resulting in the promotion of a "social evil" in society -- one that is against the teachings of the Bible.

Most of the liquor is sold to Muslims, proved by the rise in the sale of liquor on religious holidays, the petition further argued.

The petitioners, Naseem Masih and Aslam Pervez Sahotra filed the petition before the court under article 203 (D) of the Constitution.

The petition stated that the Government of Pakistan had promulgated Prohibition (Enforcement of Hadd) Order IV of 1979 which prohibited manufacturing, possession, sale, export and transport of all kind of intoxicants, a violation of which entails punishment. According to Article 4 of the Order, the prohibition terms do not apply to a non-Muslim.

The petitioner stated the licenses should be issued to anyone regardless of any institution. They however added that no holy book permits the consumption of liquor or any other intoxicants.

They said if the act regarding the issuance of the permit to the Christians in person is not declared illegal and unlawful, the petitioners and many other members of the Christianity will suffer an irreparable loss.