Today in 1947, Pakistan gained their Independence from British India.
Pakistan
Pakistan Breweries
Pakistan Brewery Guides
Other Guides
Guild: None Known
National Regulatory Agency: None
Beverage Alcohol Labeling Requirements: Not Known
Drunk Driving Laws: Falls under Drink and Drugs, S. No 14. No Set limit. 8 Penalty Points.
- Full Name: Islamic Republic of Pakistan
- Location: Southern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea, between India on the east and Iran and Afghanistan on the west and China in the north
- Government Type: Federal Republic
- Language: Punjabi 48%, Sindhi 12%, Saraiki (a Punjabi variant) 10%, Pashtu 8%, Urdu (official) 8%, Balochi 3%, Hindko 2%, Brahui 1%, English (official; lingua franca of Pakistani elite and most government ministries), Burushaski, and other 8%
- Religion(s): Muslim (official) 95% (Sunni 75%, Shia 20%), other (includes Christian and Hindu) 5%
- Capital: Islamabad
- Population: 190,291,129; 6th
- Area: 796,095 sq km, 36th
- Comparative Area: Slightly less than twice the size of California
- National Food: Biryani, Nihari
- National Symbols: Markhor (national animal), Chukar (national bird); Jasminum officinale (“Poet’s Jasmine”); Mango (Summer fruit) and Guava (Winter fruit); Deodar (Cedrus Deodara); Minar-e-Pakistan (Tower of Pakistan); Star and crescent; and the Indus River (Sindh) (unofficial)
- Affiliations: UN, Commonwealth
- Independence: From British India, August 14, 1947
- Alcohol Legal: Yes
- Minimum Drinking Age: 21 (Illegal for Muslims)
- BAC: 0.00%
- Number of Breweries: 1
- How to Say “Beer”: bir sharab
- How to Order a Beer: ikk bir sharab, khush karna
- How to Say “Cheers”: jai jaikar
- Toasting Etiquette: There are no toasts in Pakistan
Alcohol Consumption By Type:
- Beer: <1%
- Wine: <1%
- Spirits: <1%
- Other: 100%
Alcohol Consumption Per Capita (in litres):
- Recorded: 0.01
- Unrecorded: 0.05
- Total: 0.06
- Beer: 0.00
WHO Alcohol Data:
- Per Capita Consumption: 0.01 litres
- Alcohol Consumption Trend: Stable
- Excise Taxes: No
- Minimum Age: 21 (Illegal for Muslims)
- Sales Restrictions: Yes
- Advertising Restrictions: Yes
- Sponsorship/Promotional Restrictions: Yes
Patterns of Drinking Score: 3
Prohibition: Pakistan allowed the free sale and consumption of alcohol for three decades from 1947, but restrictions were introduced by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto just weeks before he was removed as prime minister in 1977. Since then, only members of non-Muslim minorities such as Hindus, Christians and Zoroastrians are allowed to apply for permits for alcohol. The monthly quota depends on their income but is usually about five bottles of liquor or 100 bottles of beer. In a country of 180 million, only about 60 outlets are allowed to sell alcohol. Enforced by the country’s Islamic Ideology Council, the ban is strictly policed. However, members of religious minorities often sell their liquor permits to Muslims and a black market trade in alcohol continues.
