Daily Times

KARACHI: The department of excise, taxation and narcotics of the Sindh government has fears that smuggling of liquor and beer (PMFL, Beer) can take place from the bordering provinces – Punjab and Balochistan-, Daily Times has learnt.

All of 102 liquor shops have been closed in the Sindh province following the orders of the Sindh High Court (SHC), directing Inspector General of Police (IGP) A.D Khwaja and Director General Excise Shoaib Siddiqui to ensure implementation on court’s orders, revoking all licenses and closing all liquor shops.

“The demand of liquor has diversified with the closure of all the liquor shops in the province, besides the stock of already banned foreign brand whisky is reportedly ending in the market”, sources said.

After the closure of the wine shops, the sale of local wine has increased and the mafia has become active in supplying the wine to its customers at higher rates.

Usually, half a liter bottle is sold at Rs 300 to Rs 350 at a store however now it is being sold at Rs 1000 to Rs 1300. The rates of foreign whisky have also increased by the suppliers following shortage of local made liquor in the market, sources added.

While fearing from likely smuggling of liquor from bordering provinces including Punjab and Balochistan, the Director General Shoaib Siddiqui has forwarded a letter No DG-1(572)/2006-Excise/4477 to Directors Excise, Taxation and Narcotics Karachi, Larkana and Sukkur divisions to keep vigil on the likely smuggling of liquor and beer.

“You are well aware that all liquor licensed shops of the province of Sindh are closed and their licenses are already recalled. In these circumstances likelihood of smuggling of liquor (PMFL, Beer) from provinces of Punjab and Balochistan is at the higher side”, a letter exclusively available with Daily Times.

“You are, therefore, advised to take all possible measures and utilize all available resources to ensure that no liquor to be smuggled from the bordering area of the province of Sindh, constitute and depute teams at entry/exit points to crack down against elements involved in such smuggling and its illegal sale in the province”, the letter added.

When contacted, Director General Excise, Taxation and Narcotics Shoaib Siddiqui told Daily Times that the concerned Regional Directors have been directed to personally monitor the working of the teams so constituted to ensure the achievement of desired results.

“Any negligence or deliberate failure in the matter will not be tolerated and the concerned officer/officials will face strict disciplinary proceedings under Removal from Service (Special Powers) Sindh Ordinance, 2000”, the DG added.