Toxic liquor claims 18 lives in Karachi

E-Paper | March 18, 2026

KARACHI: At least eighteen people have died in the port city of Karachi since Tuesday night due to the consumption of toxic moonshine, DawnNews reported.

“Since last (Tuesday) night, 18 people have died after consuming toxic liquor,” doctor Seemi Jamali of Karachi's Jinnah Hospital told AFP.

The doctors were trying to save the lives of 15 others whose condition was serious, she added.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Sindh Ghulam Haider Jamali has taken notice of the deaths caused due to the consumption of toxic moonshine and has ordered the authorities to arrest the culprits selling the banned liquor.

Area police chief Akhtar Farooq said that police had conducted raids at illegal liquor factories and arrested three accused while seizing “Katchi Sharab” (home made liquor).

A few days earlier, at least 20 people died in Hyderabad reportedly after consuming toxic liquor.

Also read: Hyderabad toxic liquor tragedy toll rises to 20

Liquor poisoning is common in Pakistan, where the Muslim majority is forbidden to consume or sell alcohol and the sale is tightly regulated for minorities and foreigners.

While higher-income Pakistanis buy bootlegged alcohol at heavily-inflated prices, the poor often resort to home-brews that can contain methanol, commonly used in anti-freeze and fuel, that can lead to blindness, liver damage and death.

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Ali Rizvi

Oct 08, 2014 05:28pm

The government should take steps to un-ban consumption of alcohol.I don't understand why they want to force religion on us? I'm Muslim and I'm a regular consumer of alcohol. Every time I want to buy wine or beer (by calling the bootlegger), it makes me feel as if I'm committing a crime! Don't know when will our mentality grow!

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Abbas Ali

Oct 08, 2014 05:32pm

Non- Muslims have permits and they can buy best quality liquor from government owned or private stores. But liquor is expensive.

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Moiz Omar

Oct 08, 2014 05:34pm

There needs to be a crackdown on such things.

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mjk

Oct 08, 2014 05:41pm

Since there is no facility in Pakistan to cure addicts, I guess that is the way to go. I bet mullah will have his opinion about funeral prayer for the dead.

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Nilesh Shah

Oct 08, 2014 05:45pm

Toxic liquor?? Wake up ppl, liquor by itself is slow poison. Why blame liquor by knowing this fact?

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JackDomm

Oct 08, 2014 05:47pm

Bad End of A Bad Act!

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Husain Jan

Oct 08, 2014 05:55pm

Police raided illegal factories and arrest three persons !!! What a news ? As if the police did not know beforehand about such factories. No such factories or any other illegal trade or work can continue without connivance of the police. They never even try to stop such things because in that case their so-called "extra income" would also stop. All illegal trade and acts are going to continue till such time that the area police is held accountable and punished too.

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Agha Ata

Oct 08, 2014 05:57pm

Same old occurrence, and let me tell you the same old story. Drugs cannot be totally stopped. and besides, if healthy normal drinks are available, people would not drink poison. Let some kind of drink be available. And, let God decide if they are sinners. We will have to stop playing God. Let's concentrate on our jobs, and let God do His job.

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ThisIsMe

Oct 08, 2014 05:59pm

@Ali Rizvi :regular and proud consumer of alcohal! You made me speechless.

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Ariba

Oct 08, 2014 06:00pm

@Ali Rizvi Don't force your liberal beliefs on us. Majority still doesn't want to consume it.

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Sunny

Oct 08, 2014 06:02pm

@Ali Rizvi You mean you are a cricketer but don't want to follow the rules. Will icc allow you to play in shalwar kameez and aluminium bat and instead of bowling you choose to throw like baseball style? Your poor logic is such a shame for all muslim or maybe you are not muslim any way but only using muslim name to insult us.

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ann cha

Oct 08, 2014 06:02pm

@Ali Rizvi i guess it is a crime according to the constitution of islamic republic

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Iqbal Hadi Zaidi

Oct 08, 2014 06:10pm

GO + WENT + GONE when you cannot ban drinking of alcohol in Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Iqbal Hadi Zaidi

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Pakistani

Oct 08, 2014 06:17pm

Islam has only told us what is good for human beings. If you do not want to follow, you bear the consequences. Many drinkers die because of liver disease and some die or kill innocent people in traffic accidents. Some even kill their own family because they can not think when they are drunk.

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Anup

Oct 08, 2014 06:20pm

RIP to those who post lives and hope their families cope with the life. This is where both countries need to focus, their public health and safety and not on border disputes. One incidence has killed more than collective number in border dispute on the other hand one stampede killed similar number of people in India.

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concerned_kashmiri

Oct 08, 2014 06:25pm

How would they face Allah when dying in a drunk state. It gives me shivers. May Allah forgive them.

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ramesh

Oct 08, 2014 06:29pm

I am a Hindu from Pakistan, moved to US abt 10yrs ago, don't drink alcohol as that is how I was brought up..but I agree w Ali Rizvi, Pakistan needs to separate State from religion. Not saying it should be allowed to be consumed openly in public but if some of these addicts or even occasional drinkers wanted that they had access to buy quality products so the people are not dying from poison. .

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Abhishek Tomar

Oct 08, 2014 06:29pm

@Pakistani : Does Islam allow smoking? Many Muslim Friends of mine smoke quite regularly and boast of not drinking where as I drink once a week and do not smoke at all. I can tell you (if you trust me) I'm more healthier then them.

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M1968

Oct 08, 2014 06:47pm

@Ali Rizvi I absolutely agree with you on it. In order to stop all this (death, illegal manufacturing of liquor) the ban should be lifted and if needed put a quota system for all Muslims.

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allaisa

Oct 08, 2014 06:54pm

if you end prohibition, you won't have these deaths. We tried it in USA and it miserably failed. Have you heard any such deaths in USA? Here we do die of alcohol itself but not from moonshine!

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allaisa

Oct 08, 2014 06:56pm

@Ariba Who is asking you to consume? By the same token you should not preach to others.

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allaisa

Oct 08, 2014 06:58pm

I can not find the religion of the victims though Dawn is implying they are non-muslims. Is that true?

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Human

Oct 08, 2014 07:01pm

Quran says you need not follow wat you don't understand. People should be made aware of benefits of not consuming alcohol and also encouraged not to consume but forcing a ban on those who re willing is wrong.. I'm also pure non alcoholic but forcing my personal choice on others is wrong.

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ShManzar

Oct 08, 2014 07:03pm

@Ali Rizvi ... Were you a muslim, ie one who submits his will and life to Allah SWT, you would not touch alcohol, you would stay very far away from it as is Allah's command. May Allah Guide you and may you abandon your infantile behaviour.

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ShManzar

Oct 08, 2014 07:07pm

@M1968 ... Do not go against Allah's Law, its a lose lose situation. You lose in this world and you lose in the hereafter.

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Danish

Oct 08, 2014 07:12pm

@Ali Rizvi Feel sorry for those who lost their lives. Hope their families stand strong. I think we need RULE OF LAW before we get to that point (un-ban consumption). Otherwise, every day we will be loosing human lives. A long way to go. Very first step would be... Go Nawaz Go!

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Danish

Oct 08, 2014 07:18pm

@Sunny If you don't like the comment, you can express that you disagree. Calling someone a shame, a non-muslim, an insult.. I think there should be better way to express disagreement.

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Fahim

Oct 08, 2014 07:21pm

Turkey could be a good role model for Pakistan. Alcohol is allowed in Turkey but I have not seen many people drinking it though.

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ammar

Oct 08, 2014 07:23pm

@Ali Rizvi alcohol is forbidden in islam its clear mentioned by ALLAH (SAW) in Quraan :They ask you about intoxicants and games of chance. Say: In both of them there is a great sin and means of profit for men, and their sin is greater than their profit. And they ask you as to what they should spend. Say: What you can spare. Thus does Allah make clear to you the communications, that you may ponder: Albaqra 219

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majid

Oct 08, 2014 08:04pm

@Ali Rizvi Hypocritical legacy of General Zia ul Haq regime is causing this.

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Shiraz

Oct 08, 2014 08:09pm

In the light of religion, alcohol is termed as mother of all evils. When the religion of peace is calling it as mother of all evils, we must listen and think why.

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Shazad

Oct 08, 2014 08:13pm

@ramesh you are right and there is a permit available for non-Muslims. Alcohol is banned in Islam so one should obey the law

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Inqelabzindabad

Oct 08, 2014 08:21pm

@Pakistani As if only intoxicated people go around and kill people.

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Lalu

Oct 08, 2014 08:45pm

I do not feel sorry at all.

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unbelievable

Oct 08, 2014 08:46pm

Seems like Pakistan is the only country where people die on a regular basis from poisoned alcohol - too proud to implement common sense solutions used by the rest of the World?

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Moid

Oct 08, 2014 08:49pm

Govt should subsidize alcoholic beverages in Pakistan.

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saj

Oct 08, 2014 09:04pm

@Ali Rizvi um...there are rules for every country. "I'm muslim"- if you say so. Knowingly drinking and saying it as if you are proud of it- Good muslim- not. No-one is forcing their religion upon you.

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Abbas Ali

Oct 08, 2014 09:07pm

The article is giving the impression that only poor non-Muslims consume this cheap liquor. All those who can't afford good quality expensive liquor consumes the cheap version. As Mr. Ali Rizvi has stated above, the bootleeger deliver the product at his doorstep. I don't drink but liquor is available openly, no country can match us in delivery at home. All my friends who drink get their booz like this.

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saj

Oct 08, 2014 09:12pm

@ramesh Every country has rules. i.e Guns, etc etc. If rules were not there, ther'll be murders, etc etc. Drink Driving and so on. People do it in the privacy of their homes. People break rules. Thats the way it is.

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Oct 08, 2014 09:14pm

@Ali Rizvi ... the logic of Islam and Religion is to become subservient to God and His orders (conveyed through the Messengers). Don't try to play your own games.. there is no way out really.. in subservience is tranquility and reward.. you have to do it to feel it.

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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

Oct 08, 2014 09:15pm

But isn't liquor consumption highly restricted if not totally banned in the "land of the pure?"

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saj

Oct 08, 2014 09:17pm

@M1968 - Quota system on Alcohol? seriously. -How is legalising it going to stop death?. More people die from drink driving, Alcohol abuse, than anything else. Legalising it can also create more alcoholics- they'll kill themselves drinking anyways. Being drunk makes you mindless- probably go home and beat the wife, or the kids, or unknowingly walk in front of a car killing yourself as well as those in the car

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Mehkan

Oct 08, 2014 09:52pm

@Ali Rizvi Hi Ali... I do not understand why people are turning up against you on this discussion. In my opinion alcohol should not be banned. By lifting the ban, people who do not want to drink will not drink and who want to drink will drink! Putting a ban simply means you are forcing someone, who wants to do a particular thing, to not do so... I am a Muslim and I do not consume while living in a country like USA. Hence if the ban is lifted then people like me will not drink and who do want to drink will do so nicely and legally! Why do we have to sabotage basic rights! And to other readers, having alcohol being sold legally is not a crime! You can choose or not choose to indulge. Please get a life and let others live. We all are responsible for our own-selves, not of others!

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Oct 08, 2014 09:58pm

@ammar what about smoking ?

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kfka

Oct 08, 2014 10:03pm

@Nilesh Shah, you know what else is slow poison? Cigarettes! Cause more deaths each year than alcohol. I dare you to try and ban those in Pakistan.

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kfka

Oct 08, 2014 10:14pm

Tobacco is an intoxicant as well. So is cabffeine. They aren't banned. There is research to show how human judgement is impared under the influence of both tobacco and caffeine. Why aren't they illegal? Why cherrypick certain things and not others? Is it because tobacco and caffeine are part of our culture

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Manav

Oct 08, 2014 10:25pm

Reading the comments on Dawn since two years have made me conclude that, the problem with Pakistan is: it obligatorily links everything on earth with religion.

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Jatinder

Oct 08, 2014 10:26pm

In Malaysia and Indonesia liquor is freely sold everywhere (since Pakistan look towards them as role models) , people there are healthy, honest and have a better approach to life and are result oriented and above all very good humans...any explanation for this double standards

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Rehan

Oct 08, 2014 10:37pm

@Ali Rizvi LOL you're still able to buy your alcohol, so who's forcing religion on you? Its not about changing mentality, its about knowing whats permissible and what isn't in your religion.

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LATIF

Oct 08, 2014 10:49pm

I do not understand as to why alcohol is ban in Pakistan whereas it is freely available in Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Dubai and other UAE being Muslim states. In Sharjah one can consume inside his/her apartment. In Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia it is available in a restricted manner and can be procured easily. Most ex pat working in these countries make alcohol in their homes or camps. However, due to restrictions most youngster Arabs drink and drive offences can get killed on roads.These countries are putting some kinds of checks on drivers which would help them to reduce accident/causalities. Pakistan should develop laws to control the abuse of alcohol and remove stringent laws. It should be up to the people to decide.

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concerned_paki

Oct 08, 2014 10:53pm

Any habits that harms your body and effects you or your families is prohibited. so why are cigarette's legal in pakistan?. Rules that bends to benefits or pesonal / society gain are not islamic teachings.

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hvs

Oct 08, 2014 10:56pm

@Pakistani Well muslims do cigarette and hooka much more than alchohal and they die of lung cancer...btw there are more people dying of cigarettes than liver cancer/cirrosis.

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Sunny

Oct 08, 2014 10:58pm

@Danish please read it again what I said. If you not follow the law and rules then it's a shame either way. What prove does one have that Ali Rizvi is Ali Rizvi and not kumar or jatindar? It was written in that sense and not insult anybody. If you are not follow the rules then it's inult by itself

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Amanullah Khan

Oct 08, 2014 11:01pm

@Ali Rizvi Will this stop deaths by consumption of toxic local brew? Your comment should be related to the news topic. You can express your wishes through other available means, e.g. Letters to the Editor

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Amanullah Khan

Oct 08, 2014 11:05pm

@Husain Jan I totally agree with you. To stop these deaths, SHO of the area where such liquor is sold and his immediate superior should be made held equally responsible for the crime and punished along with the liquor seller.

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vbv

Oct 08, 2014 11:08pm

I believe a person is good or bad are irrespective of whether he drinks or not. Drinking does not make a person morally bad. @M1968 If needed put a quota system for all Muslims like 1 bottle per person per week. Good idea.

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Ali Imran

Oct 08, 2014 11:57pm

This is Islamic Republic of Pakistan !! Things should/will run according to Islamic laws. (InshAllah)

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Raja Hindustani

Oct 09, 2014 12:53am

But I heard that drinking is not allowed in Islam

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Khan

Oct 09, 2014 01:22am

Wow, there are people supporting for its consumption here. Drink as much as you like, you'll know what you are getting into pretty soon.

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Jatinder

Oct 09, 2014 01:50am

The more you restrict a society worst the consequences , freedom to choose and freedom of choice is the key.

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shuaib

Oct 09, 2014 02:00am

28 people die EVERY DAY as a result of drunk driving in US where laws are 1000 times more strictly enforced than Pakistan. Those arguing against alcohol prohibition still wants to make alcohol legal in Pakistan ?

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Advait

Oct 09, 2014 03:04am

@Abhishek Tomar , Smoking is more harmful, especially passive smoking, than liquor consumption. If Pakistan has to ban anything they shall ban Smoking, Hooka, Cigar and Bidi.

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Nasr

Oct 09, 2014 04:17am

What a way to go. Such a shame

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NaMaloom Fard

Oct 09, 2014 04:18am

@Abbas Ali : "Barq Girti Hai To Bechaare Musalmanon Pr"!

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NaMaloom Fard

Oct 09, 2014 04:20am

@Ali Rizvi : The Prohibition of alcohol does not provide a simple solution yet complicates it. The middleman makes the best of it.

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NaMaloom Fard

Oct 09, 2014 04:24am

@ThisIsMe: Ali Rizvi spoke the truth and he should be proud of it. In the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, many more sinful activities are practiced everyday.....lying for one! Atleast Mr.Rizvi does not pretend to be a hypocrite.

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NaMaloom Fard

Oct 09, 2014 04:28am

@concerned_kashmiri : May Allah forgive you for not minding your own business and being judgemental.

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NaMaloom Fard

Oct 09, 2014 04:31am

@Abhishek Tomar : To further the discussion, does Islam allow homosexuality? We have conveniently swept the pedophiliacs under the carpet. If we can't see something how can it hurt us?

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EmEn

Oct 09, 2014 04:31am

How many Muslims living in the West, where liquor is freely available, drink? Not many. They are a choice. They are not forced to drink alcohol.

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Saj king khan

Oct 09, 2014 04:41am

The sale is tightly regulated !! The minorities can't afford to drink it! It the Muslims who drink it!!! Pop over any hotel and you can buy it ! Like buying any thing else!! Rip !!!

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A beliver

Oct 09, 2014 05:18am

Restriction creats demand, if there is no restriction demand will be low, government cant stop the consumption,its available always as explained by ali rizvi, however there should be crack down on illegal liquour producers.

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Amin

Oct 09, 2014 06:23am

@LATIF Please comment only if you have the facts right. I am a resident of Sharjah since the seventies. Alcohol is totally banned in Sharjah. People try to smuggle it from Ajman where it is sold illegally, and are prosecuted if they are caught on the way.

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Amin

Oct 09, 2014 06:26am

@Ali Rizvi A Muslim by definition is one who accepts the dictates of Allah and lives his life accordingly and not as per his wishes/desires. Food for thought.

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Chand S

Oct 09, 2014 06:27am

I was thinking Pakistanis do not drink being a Islamist state. Not sure why people who drink are tolerated??? Looks like there is demand and no supply which ends up with similar incidents. Banning is not a solution and it does help people who sell in black market. Knowing how the system works Cops must be taking a big cut in illegal liquor sales..

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fida sayani, USA.

Oct 09, 2014 07:10am

@Nilesh Shah Liquor is not a poison, it depends on how much you consume. Two famous Muslim, the founder of Pakistan and Modern Turkey regularly consume liquor but within reasonable quantity and they both achieved higher status in their respective countries. Poet Iqbal was another one who was regular consumer of liquor and today the nation visits his tomb in Lahore. Americans tried banning liquor in their country and it brought misery and ultimately they withdrew the ban.Point is that those who want to refrain from liquor due to their religious obligation will do that voluntarily and those who want to drink will do that, it does not matter whatever Laws the state will put in force.

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Ali

Oct 10, 2014 01:37am

@Ali Rizvi Consume more and your mentality will grow double speed!!!!

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