Hot Debate in Balochistan Assembly Over Establishment of Liquor Shops; Maulana Hidayat-ur-Rehman Threatens Action
Quetta: A heated debate took place in the Balochistan Assembly over the establishment of liquor shops in the province, including in the coastal city of Gwadar, with lawmakers expressing strong and differing views on the sensitive issue.
During the session, Member of the Provincial Assembly Maulana Hidayat-ur-Rehman Baloch took a firm stance, demanding the immediate closure of all liquor shops in Gwadar. He stated that Balochistan does not need such establishments and warned that if the government fails to act, he himself would take steps to shut them down.
Opposition Leader Mir Younus Aziz Zehri questioned the effectiveness of issuing liquor licenses, noting that the number of licenses appeared disproportionate to potential users, raising concerns about their practicality.
On the other hand, Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti informed the House that while certain religions permit the use of alcohol, the government would take strict action against illegal liquor outlets. He emphasized that all enforcement actions would be carried out strictly under the law.
He further highlighted concerns regarding underage access to regulated products, stating that if minors are not allowed to purchase cigarettes, strict monitoring must also ensure that alcohol is not accessed unlawfully.
Lawmakers called for further deliberation and stronger legislation on the issue to address both social and legal concerns in the province.
