In a significant move, the district administration of Matiari has launched a crackdown on the sale of both legal and illegal liquor and drugs around the shrine of Sufi Saint Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai.
The shrine, like many others in the country, had become a center for narcotics activity, with drug addicts frequently seen begging for money to sustain their addiction.
The Matiari deputy commissioner has issued a ban on the sale of liquor, applying to both Muslims and non-Muslims within Bhit Shah town and the shrine’s vicinity. Additionally, liquor shop licenses have been revoked, and a formal notification has been released.
Furthermore, a strict prohibition has been enforced on the sale and consumption of drugs within the town, including at the shrine. The administration has also banned smoking in and around the shrine, public parks, eateries, and crowded areas. Violators will face severe consequences.
The notification has warned that any drug addicts found within Bhit Shah will be detained and sent to a rehabilitation center. Law enforcement, particularly the SHO of Bhit Shah, has been directed to ensure strict action is taken against those flouting the newly established regulations.