SHC seeks details of licences issued to liquor shops in Clifton, DHA

Director General excise and taxation department was, on Tuesday, directed to submit details of licences issued to wine shops in Clifton and Defence areas, while four shop owners were issued notices.

The directives came on petition of Shaharyar David seeking cancellation of licences granted to wine shop retailers in Defence and Clifton areas.

The petitioner submitted that licences were only allowed to be issued to retailers selling alcohol only in Christian or Hindu populated localities.

He submitted that four liquor shops were operating in Defence Housing Authority phases V and VI, in areas which were Muslim populated. David maintained
that the operating wine shops were illegal and requested the court to direct the excise department to submit details of the shops and licences granted to the retailers.

Excise and taxation department director general Shahab Siddiqui appeared before the court and requested the court to grant some time in order for him to place the details of licences on record.

Besides issuing notices to four wine shop owners, SHC’s division bench headed by Chief Justice Sajjad Ali Shah directed the director general to submit the details on the next date of hearing, adjourned till October 14.