Hakeem slams liquor ban remarks

Srinagar, Feb 16: People’s Democratic Front (PDF) chairman Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen has strongly criticised the statements by some political figures that liquor ban in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir is impossible, given that the region is a tourist state.
“This encouragement of liquor sales is against the core principles of Islam and has deeply offended the religious feelings of Muslims,” Yaseen said, adding that these statements are considered harmful to the religious sentiments of the people and that an unconditional apology should be issued.
The former minister said liquor sale has nothing to do with tourism promotion. “States like Gujarat and Mizoram have seen thriving tourism despite liquor bans,” he said.