ISLAMABAD: The National assembly Standing Committee on Law, Justice and Human Rights on Monday opposed a proposal to withdraw an exemption allowing the drinking of alcohol by non-Muslims in Pakistan.

This was decided in the meeting of the committee which met under the chairmanship of MNA Mamhood Bashir Virk and was attended by its members along with officials of the ministry of Law, Justice and Human Rights.

JUI-F MNA Maulana Mohammad Shirani said that parliament should impose a ban on the drinking of alcohol by non-Muslims and that such an exemption provided in the law should be withdrawn.

An official of the ministry of Law, Justice and Human Rights told committee members that it was written in the Constitution that there will be no restriction on the drinking of alcohol by non-Muslims and that it is also part of the Hudood Ordinance.

Members of the committee showed their concerns on the move of Maulana Mohammad Shirani regarding the proposed ban.

Committee Chairman Mahmood Bashir Virk said that the government should first make efforts to control alcohol drinking by Muslims.

“The world already considers Pakistani as a conservative nation,” Virk said.

Committee members stated that such a move would create a bad image of Pakistan in the world.

Members of the committee voiced their opposition to the proposed amendment in the law.