ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Wednesday issued stay order against the implementation of the Sindh High Court’s order regarding cancellation of licenses of over 120 wine shops across the province.
The petitioners filed an appeal against the Sindh High Court’s October 27 order to shut down and revoke licenses of all liquor shops operating across the province of Sindh.
A three-member bench, headed by Justice SaqibNisar, accepted appeals and returned the case to the Sindh High Court for hearing it afresh and decide the matter at the earliest.
During the course of proceedings, Pakistan Hindu Council Patron Dr Ramesh Kumar Vankwani, who also represents Pakistan a member of the National Assembly, appeared before the court and informed that the Hindu religion forbids consumption of alcohol. “Permitting sale of alcohol for the sake of consumption by the minority communities would be wrong,” Ramesh Kumar remarked.
Justice SaqibNisar said, “This order should not be presumed that the Supreme Court had granted permission for the sale of alcohol.”
He further remarked that the Supreme Court bench was not deciding the legal status of the sale of alcohol, adding that the court’s interim order was not a final decision on the matter.
The apex court also directed petitioners to approach SHC again.
