Pakistan’s oldest and largest brewery is officially going global. After a ban spanning nearly 50 years, Pakistan’s Murree Brewery has received government approval to export its products. This marks a significant regulatory shift for the colonial-era giant.
Founded in 1860 to serve British personnel during the Raj, the company has survived strict regulations and prohibition laws. Today, it stands as one of Pakistan’s most well-known enterprises. However, this new license represents more than just paperwork… It is a testament to corporate resilience.
The Catalyst: A Regulatory Double Standard
The push for this license began years ago. Isphanyar Bhandara, the company’s CEO and a member of the National Assembly, initiated a heavy lobbying effort in 2017.
The catalyst was a specific market disruption. That year, the Chinese-run Hui Coastal Brewery and Distillery received permission to brew beer in Pakistan. This project primarily served Chinese nationals working on local infrastructure projects.
Bhandara, who belongs to the Parsi community, called this move a “rude surprise”. He questioned why a foreign entity could brew while a historic local company faced export restrictions. Bhandara noted, referring to the state’s previous stance:
What happened to all the lectures?
Consequently, he leveraged this disparity to secure the license his father and grandfather could not obtain.
Financial Strength & Expansion Plans
Murree Brewery is already a financial heavyweight. In the fiscal year ending June 2025, the company’s revenue surpassed $100 million. Alcohol sales generated over half of this total, while non-alcoholic drinks and glass manufacturing accounted for the rest.
Currently, the Rawalpindi-based facility employs around 2,200 people. With the new license, the company is looking beyond domestic borders.
Pakistan’s Murree Brewery Targeting Global Markets
The company has already initiated limited shipments to Japan, Britain, and Portugal. Historically, Murree Brewery exported to India, the Gulf, the United States, and even Kabul before the ban.
Now, the strategy focuses on Europe, with potential moves into Asian and African markets. According to Bhandara, the immediate goal is not revenue maximisation. Instead, the company aims to explore distribution channels and build its brand abroad.
Since domestic advertising remains illegal, international markets offer a unique opportunity for visibility. Bhandara said:
We are not allowed to advertise, so we keep our heads down… we try to make a good beer with our heads down.
Now, they can finally lift their heads and compete on the world stage.
