ISLAMABAD: Dr Ramesh Kumar Vankwani, an MNA from the ruling Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz, has submitted a constitutional amendment bill in the National Assembly Secretariat seeking prevention of the sale of alcohol in the name of non-Muslims.

Talking to reporters outside the Parliament House on Monday, the minority MNA said that use of liquor is considered harmful in all societies.

All religions call upon their followers to avoid alcohol. He described the Sindh High Court`s decision putting a ban on wine shops in the province as a positive step.

`[The] Honourable Supreme Court has also observed that nobody should give the impression that the court has allowed the sale of wine,` he said.

Dr Vankwani, who heads the Pakistan Hindu Council, mentioned Article 37 of the Constitution which calls for promotion of social justice and eradication of social evils.

`Please let me know if there is any single religion which asks its followers to consume alcohol on the occasions of religious festivals, he asked.

Answering a question, Mr Vankwani said there were about 161 wine shops in Sindh and called for strict action against the smuggling of alcoholic liquor from Balochistan where, he claimed, majority of wine factories existed.

He appealed to all segments of society to support the bill.