It is relatively common for people to die from the consumption of toxic alcohol right across the country, and there is no province exempted. Eid holidays tend to be the time when deaths due to the consumption of toxic liquor spike and this Eid was no exception, with a heavy toll in Karachi, where 23 people have reportedly died. It is likely that the number will rise as there are another 16 people still in hospital and seriously ill. Almost without exception, the deaths occur in very poor communities, and when a death occurs, families are often unwilling to cooperate with either the police or the medical services, frequently denying that their relative died from drinking poisonous alcohol.
The matter is in sharp focus this year because of the profligate issuing of licences to liquor stores in Hyderabad by Mukesh Chawla, who was stripped of his portfolio of Excise and Taxation by the Sindh government on October 5. Mr Chawla was deemed “negligent” as he had issued licences, probably with a ‘commission’ attached to the issuance, to sub-standard ‘wine shops’ in Hyderabad, where another 20 people have died in the last week. A complex set of issues surround these deaths. If the toxic liquor was bought from a licensed shop, then both the manufacturer and the vendor are culpable. If the liquor was illegally made and sold, then again a serious criminal offence has been committed.
The government does license the sale of liquor to shops which sell alcohol to non-Muslims and have the necessary permits to do so, but the system is widely abused, and the manufacture and sale of illegal liquor, often with the connivance of the law-enforcing agencies, makes a mockery of the law. It seems unlikely that the manufacture of illegal and often toxic alcohol is ever going to be completely eradicated. However, it is imperative that serious attempts are made by the police in this regard and those engaged in the deadly business are arrested. As for sub-standard liquor sold from licensed shops, it is for the relevant government agencies/departments to ensure that liquor legally bought is at least fit for consumption — because failing in that duty may make them party to an unlawful killing.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 10th, 2014.
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In my view one way to avoid such catastrophes would be to allow alcohol sale to everybody and let people decide if they want a drink or not. In that case only authorised alcohol would be available and nobody will resort to back door sales. We live in 21st century and we know it is far worse for health when we smoke than have a sip. I know in west millions of muslims live and although such products are available in every street, very few Muslims drink this stuff. Drinking in moderation is in fact good for your health, particularly red wine.