Pakistan’s oldest brewery gets nod to export alcohol after 50 years: What it says about country's economy

Murree Brewery, Pakistan’s oldest, has been allowed to export alcohol for the first time in nearly 50 years, aiming to earn foreign exchange amid economic pressure. The company has started test shipments to Japan, Britain, and Portugal to enter global markets.

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Pakistan’s oldest brewery has received permission to export alcohol for the first time in nearly five decades, marking a significant shift in the country’s tightly controlled alcohol industry.

Murree Brewery, founded in 1860 during British rule, has been granted approval to resume alcohol exports after a 50-year ban was lifted. The move is part of Pakistan’s efforts to earn foreign exchange at a time when the country is facing serious economic pressure.

The brewery’s chief executive Isphanyar Bhandara, a third-generation owner, said the approval was the result of years of persistence. He described the moment as both emotional and important for the family, noting that his father and grandfather had also tried but failed to secure export permission.

Murree Brewery operates from Rawalpindi, in a high-security area located opposite the official residence of Pakistan’s army chief Asim Munir. The company earns more than $100 million annually. Over half of this revenue comes from alcohol sales, while the rest is generated from non-alcoholic drinks and bottle manufacturing.

Alcohol production and sales in Pakistan are strictly regulated and are legally allowed only for non-Muslim minorities and foreigners. Despite these restrictions, illegal liquor production remains common and has occasionally led to deaths from toxic alcohol.

Murree Brewery has continued operating through these challenges and has built a strong domestic presence over the years. Before the export ban was imposed, the company supplied alcohol to markets including India, Afghanistan, Gulf countries and the United States.

Bhandara recalled that the company once exported beer to Kabul, a trade he said would be impossible under the current Taliban government. He has also spoken about his surprise in 2017 when a Chinese-run brewery was allowed to produce alcohol in Pakistan for Chinese workers involved in infrastructure projects. That development strengthened his determination to secure export rights for Murree Brewery.

The company has now begun test shipments to Japan, Britain and Portugal. Murree says the immediate goal is not profit but learning how international markets work and introducing its brand abroad. Since alcohol advertising is banned within Pakistan, overseas markets offer a rare chance for visibility.

Murree Brewery employs around 2,200 people and is exploring export opportunities across Europe, Asia and Africa as it enters a new phase in its 165-year history.