Lahore. October 28. Mr. Mohammad Shafiq, Excise and taxation Minister of Punjab government disclosed today on floor that Bishop Alexander Malik, the Lahore Bishop of church of Pakistan also confirmed in a visit " Drinking is permitted in Christianity" The Excise Minister was replying to a question raised by the Deputy opposition leader Rana Sana Ullaha Khan in Punjab assembly to issue details on permits issued to non-Muslims for the purchase of liquor. The opposition in house have showed their concern that how a permit holder with monthly income of Rs 4000 have buying power to purchase Rs. 7000 value liquor in Punjab. It was referred that Christians and other non-Muslim minorities members who are under poverty line have been issued the liquor consumption permits. The PPP leader Rana aftab said that government shall clarify also and raised the question that which religion permits the drinking?. The Excise and Taxation Minister said that Islam prohibits drinking but Christianity allows drinking and on pretext of Christian religious leaders, the government has been issuing licenses among Christian. On a point of order, Joel Sahutra asked the minister to explain when or at what festivity Christianity or other religions allowed drinking. Dr Shafiq claimed that after taking oath as the minister when he went to a church in Lahore for the first time, Lahore Bishop John Alexander Malik told him that drinking was permitted in Christianity. Three minority representatives stood up and protested against remarks of the minister. One of them, waiving a book that he claimed was the Bible, asked the minister to show a verse that permitted drinking.