Motion moved: Sindh Assembly to discuss liquor deaths

Amir Moin Pirzada and Khalid Ahmed, who moved the motion, said government has failed to control the toxic liquor issue

KARACHI:

As the moonshine death toll climbed to 32, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement lawmakers submitted an adjournment motion on Friday to discuss the issue in the upcoming Sindh Assembly session. The date of the session has yet to be announced. 

Amir Moin Pirzada and Khalid Ahmed, who moved the motion, said that the government has failed to control the toxic liquor issue. "Many people had lost their lives in 2013 and the then excise minister, Mukesh Kumar Chawla, had assured on the floor of the assembly that steps woud be taken to control the situation," said Pirzada. "But all went in vain." Ahmed added that casualties from the toxic liquor cannot be stopped with the suspension of a few officers. He called for a permanent solution to the problem.

"The people involved in this business give a certain percentage of the commission to the police and excise officials," he alleged. "In such a situation, how can the government control the menace?"

Published in The Express Tribune, October 11^th, 2014.