Pakistan's oldest brewery finds a path back to global markets

"A Pakistani brewery founded in the 19th century is exporting beer again for the first time in decades, despite alcohol being illegal for the country's Muslim majority. AILSA CHANG, HOST: There's an iconic brewery in Pakistan that's been operating for generations, even though it's illegal for the country's Muslim majority to drink. It's called Murree Brewery. And this year, the brewery got the green light to export its beer for the first time in decades. Betsy Joles tells us more from Rawalpindi."

"BETSY JOLES, BYLINE: Outside the Murree Brewery factory in the city of Rawalpindi, forklifts carry cardboard boxes of beer ready for distribution. (SOUNDBITE OF FORKLIFT RUNNING) JOLES: The industrial buildings here are made from red brick, and there's a sign on one of them with the date of the brewery's founding, 1860. Historian Ali Akbar Khan says the Brewery's longevity has made it a household name in Pakistan, even among nondrinkers. ALI AKBAR KHAN: Murree Brewery, it's a landmark."

"JOLES: The business started before Pakistan even existed, when the British ruled the Indian subcontinent and started brewing beer in the Murree Hills. After partition in 1947, the brewery continued operating under the leadership of the Bhandara family, which still runs it today. But the beer business in Pakistan hasn't exactly been straightforward. Alcohol was initially banned in 1977 by then-Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in response to conservative politics. And politics brought an end to alcohol exports too."

Murree Brewery, established in 1860, resumed exporting beer this year after decades without exports. The brewery operates in Pakistan despite alcohol being illegal for the country's Muslim majority. The Bhandara family has run the business since partition in 1947. The brewery's longevity has made it a household name even among nondrinkers. Alcohol was banned in 1977 under Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, and exports stopped for political and religious reasons. Officials argued an Islamic country should not be seen exporting a vice. The Bhandara family appealed to leaders to permit alcohol production to prevent worse vices and protect tax revenue.

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