ISLAMABAD – The National Assembly Standing Committee on Law and Justice rejected the constitutional amendment bill seeking a blanket ban on consumption of alcohol in the country.
The bill was proposed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) Dr Ramesh Kumar on Tuesday, however, the committee branded the bill ‘a publicity stunt’ and ‘a mischievous act’.
The Hindu lawmaker had called upon parliament to amend Article 37 of the Constitution which permits the consumption of alcohol for minorities in the country, demanding to outlaw the trade license of alcohol for the Hindu community as “it is against the teachings of their religion”.
Kumar was supported by MNA Shunila Ruth, belonging to the Christian community, who also demanded to impose a ban on alcohol consumption, saying alcohol was prohibited in Christianity as well.
Despite attempts by both the lawmakers, Malik Farooq Azam opposed the proposed amendment and urged lawmakers not to open the Pandora’s Box just for ‘media hype and publicity’. Another legislator Bashir Virk also rejected the bill.
During the meeting chaired by Riaz Fatyana, five bills were tabled for consideration. The committee rejected three bills while one bill each was approved and deferred.
Article 37 of the Constitution deals with the consumption of alcohol in the country and one of its sections states: The State shall prevent the consumption of alcoholic liquor otherwise than for medicinal and, in the case of non-Muslims, religious purposes.
Dr Ramesh Kumar had been advocating the ban on the use of alcohol from quite a long time now. In December last year, he was barred from tabling a constitutional amendment bill in this regard in the National Assembly.
PTI and Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal supported the bill but it was opposed by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).
Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri, however, barred the minister from presenting the bill after the majority of lawmakers, who were present at that time, voted against it.
In 2014 when Kumar was part of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz, he had said that alcohol was strictly forbidden according to the teachings of the Shrimad Baghwat Piran – a Hindu holy book, while also emphasising that decision makers (MNAs) or other higher-ups in the community are prohibited to drink under any circumstances.
“Sale, production, importation and transportation of alcoholic beverages in Pakistan occurred under the banner of minorities which is strongly offensive and insulting,” Dr Ramesh had said.
