KARACHI: The Sindh High Court on Tuesday ordered the provincial government to immediately shutdown all liquor shops operating in the province.
Chief Justice Sajjad Ali Shah, who headed a division bench heard a petition seeking cancellation of the license of a liquor shop being operated in Karachi.
DG-excise told the court earlier today that 120 wine shops in Karachi had been issued with licenses, with 24 licenses issued in District South alone.
The court asked the official why the liquor shops were operating throughout the year despite being allowed to sell liquor only during festivals of minorities.
The court further said that it suspects the shops were selling wine to other people as well while using the minorities as an excuse.
The court has asked for a report to be submitted within two days on the licensing details of liquor shops across the province.
Previously, the SHC had directed provincial authorities to disclose what criterion is used for issuing licenses to liquor shops.
The court had also directed the provincial election commission to submit details of Muslims and minorities in the city’s posh neighborhoods where eleven liquor shops are being run.
The petitioner stated the open selling of liquor would create chaos as the majority of the people living in the locality are Muslims.
