Pakistan’s oldest and most iconic brewery has received government approval to export alcohol for the first time in nearly five decades, a move that underscores the country’s ongoing efforts to grow its economy amid growing financial challenges, DW reported.
What do we know about the brewery?
Murree Brewery, established in 1860 during British colonial rule, will now be able to sell its products abroad after a long-standing ban on alcohol exports was lifted.
The decision marks a historic turning point for the 165-year-old business, which has persisted through strict domestic regulations and cultural resistance to the alcohol trade in an Islamic republic. While Pakistan allows the production and sale of alcohol only to non-Muslim minorities and foreigners, Murree Brewery has maintained a significant presence in the domestic market despite these limitations.
‘Result of our resilience’
Isphanyar Bhandara, the brewery’s CEO and third-generation owner, called the approval the result of “years of effort and resilience”. He noted that both his father and grandfather had unsuccessfully sought export rights in the past, making the moment especially meaningful for the family business.
How could this move affect Pakistan’s economy?
Situated in Rawalpindi, in a high-security area near Pakistan’s army chief’s residence, Murree Brewery generates annual revenues exceeding $100 million. More than half of this comes from alcohol products, while the remainder is derived from non-alcoholic drinks and glass bottle manufacturing.
The move comes at a time when Pakistan is under pressure to boost foreign exchange earnings, as the economy faces multiple challenges including fiscal constraints and balance-of-payments pressures.
How common is alcohol in Pakistan?
Alcohol sales to Muslims are forbidden, meaning only religious minorities, numbering around nine million, and foreigners can buy beer or liquor in a few authorised shops or upscale hotels, France24 reported.
However, many Muslim drinkers obtain alcohol from bootleggers or locally produced moonshine, and every year several people die after consuming methanol-contaminated liquor.
“I have to bribe the police and take extra risks, so the price is doubled”, a Christian bootlegger in Islamabad told AFP on condition of anonymity.