Pakistan’s Murree Brewery has finally broken a 50-year export ban. For the first time since 1977, they are shipping beer to the UK, Japan, and Portugal. The company is over 160 years old, but it has been trapped by local laws that ban Muslims from drinking. Now, they are moving into new markets to grow their business and bring in foreign money for the country.
While the business is happy, many religious leaders in Pakistan are not. Scholars from groups like the Council of Islamic Ideology have spoken out before, saying that an Islamic country should not be known for selling alcohol. They worry that making money this way goes against the country's values. Some scholars see this as a "Double Standard"—where the government lectures people on religion but still takes millions in taxes from beer sales.
Despite these heavy reactions, the brewery is moving ahead. They believe that if they can sell it to non-Muslims at home, they should be allowed to sell it to the rest of the world. It is a big change for Pakistan’s economy, but it remains a very sensitive topic for those who want to keep the country strictly following Islamic rules.
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