Preventing more deaths: SHC seeks details of action taken to stop sale of toxic liquor

Petitioner claims govt functionaries failed in their duty to protect lives of citizens.

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) has sought comments from the provincial police chief and the relevant authorities in the excise and other department regarding action initiated against those responsible for the deaths of 30 people due to the consumption of toxic liquor in Karachi on the eve of Eidul Azha.

Chief Justice Maqbool Baqar, who headed the bench, directed the provincial advocate general and prosecutor general to file the comments by the authorities by November 19.



The issue of deaths by consumption of toxic liquor was raised before the court by a civil rights campaigner, Rana Faizul Hasan.

The petitioner, who is the general secretary of the United Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, had sought action against the officials for their failure to stop illegal manufacture and sale of toxic alcohol in the province.

He told the two judges that over 30 people were killed after consuming the toxic liquor in different parts of Karachi. He alleged that it was only after deaths that the police and other authorities swing into action against the manufacturers and distributors and seized around 20,000 litres of the toxic substance. Hasan claimed that the tragedy could have been averted had the officials taken timely measures.

Hasan referred to a report published in a local newspaper, which claimed that the manufacturing and sale of the contraband was still ongoing in the jurisdictions of 16 police stations, despite the authorities’ claims to check the practice.

The police stations include Mehmoodabad, Chanesar Goth, Malir Bakra Piri, Quaidabad, Ibrahim Hydri, Pak Colony, Manghopir among others.



He argued that it was the responsibility of the government functionaries to protect the lives of citizens as envisaged in Articles 9, 8 4 and 3 of the Constitution. But the official respondents have demonstrated ‘criminal negligence’ in discharging their duty, thus they are liable to face action, he claimed.

The court was pleaded to order the authorities, responsible for stopping the business of toxic liquor, to initiate action against those involved in the illegal trade and take them to task in accordance with the laws.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 15^th, 2014.