The continued sale of liquor in Pakistan, including various parts of Karachi has raised questions about the enforcement of existing laws, the regulation of liquor licences and the actual sources of demand.
Despite legal restrictions governing the production, sale and consumption of liquor in Pakistan, its availability throughout the year has prompted concerns about possible regulatory gaps and the alleged misuse of licensing arrangements.
According to a report by ARY News, a significant portion of liquor sold under licences intended for non-Muslim citizens allegedly reaches individuals who are not legally authorised to purchase it.
Under Pakistan’s legal framework, the production and sale of alcoholic beverages are permitted under specific licensing conditions. Muslim citizens are prohibited from consuming alcohol, while non-Muslim citizens may purchase it subject to applicable legal requirements and prescribed regulations.
The restrictions raise questions about how alcohol sales continue throughout the year, who the actual consumers are, and whether the existing monitoring mechanisms are sufficient to prevent violations. Approximately 150 liquor shops operate across Sindh, with nearly 70 reportedly located in Karachi alone.
Liquor sale licences are issued under the relevant provisions of the Hudood Ordinance, while the law also prescribes penalties for prohibited alcohol consumption. However, the continued availability of liquor across the province has raised questions about the effectiveness of regulatory enforcement.
The report also refers to a 2017 judgment of the Sindh High Court concerning a ban on alcohol sales. The decision was subsequently overturned by a three-member bench of the Supreme Court, allowing licensed sales to continue.
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The financial scale of the industry has also come under scrutiny. According to figures cited in the report, revenue collected through duties on alcohol sales in Sindh increased by 55 per cent in 2022 compared with the previous year, reflecting a substantial rise in taxable commercial activity.
Meanwhile, representatives of religious minority communities have questioned the use of minority identities in the existing alcohol licensing system.
Atam Prakash, Chairman of the Minorities Committee of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), and Saleem Michael, associated with the Christian Helpline, expressed concerns over the practice. They maintain that alcohol consumption is not permitted under their respective religious beliefs and argue that minority communities should not be used as a justification for facilitating alcohol consumption by others.
The representatives have also alleged that certain influential individuals and politicians have obtained liquor licences in the names of their non-Muslim employees. These allegations, however, have not been independently verified in the report.
Data from the Sindh Excise and Taxation Department indicates that the province has licensed wholesalers and retail wine shops, alongside agents involved in the import and distribution of foreign liquor.
The situation has renewed debate over the effectiveness of the province’s regulatory framework, particularly regarding the issuance of licences, verification of eligible purchasers and monitoring of alcohol distribution.
