Liquor permit: A filthy piece of paper

Liquor permits! A piece of paper that has ruined the identity of Pakistani Christians. Drinking alcohol is prohibited in Islamic republic of Pakistan. However, religious minorities are allowed to consume it. To do so they must have a permit to purchase liquor for themselves.

Why it was felt necessary to give privilege of alcohol consumption to religious minorities. To better understand this let’s have a look on history. In April 1977, the government of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto imposed ban on sale of alcohol in Pakistan.

Two years later, some ministers in Zia’s cabinet came up with a view that though nightclubs and bars had been closed down, alcoholic beverages were still being openly served at social clubs. They stressed that the April 1977 order had loopholes. Thus, on February 9, 1979, the Zia regime issued an ordinance called the “Prohibition (Enforcement of Hudd) Order”.

Drinking alcohol is strictly prohibited in Christianity. Those who try to link it with religion have their own ulterior motives behind it. It is a high time that Christians indulged in this grubby business should disassociate themselves from this affair and help the community in shredding off this disgrace.

Enforcement of Hudd order proclaimed that selling alcohol to Muslims of Pakistan was illegal and anti-Islamic. The order, however, allowed the operation of ‘licensed wine shops’ which were to be owned and run by members of the non-Muslim communities.

So this happening highlighted the importance of religious minorities. Permits were issued to them and since then till now they are considered as efficient liquor suppliers.

Not all members of religious minorities are part of it. But there are number of such individuals who are involved in this filthy business and they are successfully bringing bad name to their community.

Drinking alcohol is strictly prohibited in Christianity. Those who try to link it with religion have their own ulterior motives behind it. It is a high time that Christians indulged in this grubby business should disassociate themselves from this affair and help the community in shredding off this disgrace.

Many times petitions seeking ban on issuance of liquor permits have been filed by Christian social workers but unfortunately this filthy piece of paper (permit) is still associated with Christians. Indeed, it has nothing to do with religious orientation of a society or a single person, but it has a lot to do with personal ambitions. At a time when a lot has been done on religious basis, it is high time not to paint everything in religious coloring but to observe ultimate outcome of an action or thing.

In short one can hope and pray “May sanity prevail” in all quarters!!!