The Punjab Excise and Taxation Department has granted license to the Royal International Hotel near the Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore to sell alcohol.
The Royal International Hotel just became the first hotel in Lahore in 22 years to be able to legally sell alcohol
After the Holiday Inn in Lahore was granted the last liquor license in Lahore in 1997 this is the first time that a hotel has been granted the license in the walled city. According to The News, the license was issued in January this year to the hotel.
Now, the total number of alcohol selling hotels in Lahore city will be five.
Earlier, rumors had made rounds in January about a liquor bar being set up at the Allama Iqbal International Airport that caused outrage among people.
Dr. Shahbaz Gill, spokesperson to the Chief Minister of Punjab, Usman Buzdar, had to record a video message to clarify the situation.
کیا لاھور ایرپورٹ پر شراب کی اجازت دے دی گئی؟ pic.twitter.com/NHpkVwHlOp
— Dr. Shahbaz GiLL (@SHABAZGIL) January 17, 2019
He then said in his video message that an under-construction five-star hotel (The Royal International Hotel) near the airport had sought permission, which was duly granted after all the legal requirements were fulfilled.
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto restricted the sale and purchase of alcohol weeks before he was removed as Primed Minister of the country.
Only non-Muslims are permitted to purchase or consume liquor by the law. Though Pakistan had a moderate and effective policy regarding alcohol consumption before 1977.
Pakistan’s official status is that of a dry country as 96% of Pakistanis are not SUPPOSED to drink due to religious obligations and people are now pissed at the authorities for granting the license.
This guy wants to know why isn’t anyone discussing it on a more official capacity?
Why are you guys not taking about the #Alcohol made legal and allowed to be sold in Lahore by CM Punjab Usman Buzdar.@GFarooqi @FarhanKVirk @ShehryarAfridi1 @ShkhRasheed @nadeemmalik @shazbkhanzdaGEO @ImranKhanPTI @AftabIqbaI
— Irtaza Ahmed Qureshi (@irti) March 16, 2019
Someone pointed out that there is a huge alcohol market in Karachi, Lahore is far behind.
Yahan bhi city wars? Wah!
It’s long been a hefty business in karachi where it’s sell like buying stuff from grocery store
— Wahid (@Wahid_Afridi) March 16, 2019
Someone also tried to drag the iconic Murree Brewery into their hatred
So we have the Murree brewery too? 159 years old?
Hmmm.. pic.twitter.com/HV4tEzREGw— Binte Adam (@BinteAdam_94) March 16, 2019
This brother was only now getting over the Aurat March and aur ab ye news bhi? HAYE TAUBAH.
عورت مارچ کے بعد یہ بھی؟؟؟
— Aftab Majeed Aulakh (@AftabMajeed816) March 16, 2019
What do you guys think of the news? Let us know in the comments below.
Cover Image via pond5.com