ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly Standing Committee on Law and Justice rejected the constitutional amendment bill proposed by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) Dr Ramesh Kumar seeking a complete ban on consumption of alcohol in Pakistan.
According to sources, the committee dubbed the bill ‘a publicity stunt’ and ‘a mischievous act’.
Dr Ramesh had requested parliament to amend Article 37 of the Constitution which allows the consumption of alcohol for minorities in the country. He called for proscribing the trade license of alcohol for the Hindu community as “it is against the teachings of their religion”.
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Another member of the National Assembly Shunila Ruth, a Christian, also asked the committee to bar alcohol consumption in entirety, saying “alcohol is prohibited in our religion too”.
Alcohol consumption was officially banned in 1977 in Pakistan. However, non-Muslims and foreigners are allowed to drink alcohol, and few four- and five-star hotels in the country have licences to serve it.
