The Case for De jure Legalization

It is a well known fact in Pakistan that despite the policy of criminalization of consumption of alcohol followed by the government, for Muslims over the past 25 years, it continues to be freely available to those who can afford to imbibe it. The people who have benefited the most from the situation are the politically influential smugglers who continue to make vast amounts of money in this illegal trade. Locally distilled liquor is also freely available in Wine shops in Karachi, where not even the slightest pretense of checking the religious identity of the buyers is made because the cops have been paid off.

Thus, the present system has induced massive corruption.
In line with the government's anti-corruption drive, it is suggested that the government of Kemal Musharraf legalize the consumption of alcohol by all citizens within the privacy of their own homes, and in private clubs, in order to curb smuggling, limit opportunities for police corruption, harassment of otherwise law abiding citizens, and increase customs duty imposts, thereby recognizing the reality that consumption is an individual choice of conscience. Tourism will also get a welcome boost, more so by this measure than any other the govt could take.

A Rs.1000 excise tax on an imported bottle of Scotch could easily net additional daily revenues of perhaps a crore of rupees. This is also significantly preferable to the current system of replenishing the private stocks of customs officers on duty at the International airports by way of 'duty payment,' by people who invariably bring alcohol into the country, regardless of the state of the laws. It would also check the black market trade and the accumulation of undocumented wealth earned by influential persons who benefit from the current state of affairs. Undoubtedly some of this wealth also serves to corrupt the political system.

I might also point out that under this proposed scheme of legalization and duty imposts, alcohol will not be available as a practical matter to a significantly greater number of people than it already is. Only 5% of the population would be able to afford it, as is the case currently. Therefore, consumption by the general population shall not significantly increase under such a careful policy of legalization. The only thing to increase will be the excise and sales tax revenues collected by the bankrupt government.

It should be noted that the Siachin holding operation reportedly costs Pakistan upto $700,000 daily with no end in sight. De jure legalization of alcohol will help cover much of this annual cost and ease the strain on Pakistan's finances without increasing the burden on the already over taxed poor. Relief from inflation and regressive taxes, not empty slogans, will fill their distended bellies.

Furthermore, the locally distilled 'tharra' that is widely available in the wine shops has deleterious effects upon the health of the citizenry, and is responsible by its crude manufacture for severe and premature liver damage.
The farce of religiosity from the days of Z.A.B, thru Zia ul Haq & Nawaz Sharif should not be allowed to dictate the character of this this debate. Substance, not hyperbole, should become the norm in politics in Pakistan.
Patriotic drinkers would be only too happy to raise a glass towards the prospect of increased government tax revenues.