SC halts implementation of SHC order to cancel wine shop licenses

KARACHI: The Apex court on Wednesday annulled the Sindh High Court’s order to cancel licenses and seal over 120 wine shops across the province.

A three members bench of headed by Justice Saqib Nisar accepted the appeals and returned the case to the Sindh High Court to hear the case afresh and decide the matter at the earliest.

During proceedings, Justice Saqib Nisar remarked that the court orders should not be misconstrued that the Supreme Court has allowed the sale of alcohol.

Petitioners had moved the Supreme Court against the Sindh High Court’s October 27th order to shut down and revoke licenses of all liquor shops operating in the province.

During proceedings a representative of the minority communities, Ramesh Kumar informed the court that the Hindu religion forbids the consumption of alcohol. Kumar added that permitting sale of alcohol for the sake of consumption by minority communities would be wrong.

Justice Saqib Nisar 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 directed petitioners to approach the High Court again.