Punjab Stops Murree Brewery From Exporting Alcohol So Locals Have Enough Supply to Drink

Murree Brewery Co. Ltd. Wednesday expressed serious concern over the stoppage of exports of their alcoholic beverages by the Punjab Excise department. Chairman Senate Standing Committee on Finance Saleem Mandviwalla raised serious concern over the issue raised by a Rawalpindi-based leading beverage company before the committee here on Wednesday. According to the company’s official, the act of the Punjab government has cost government loss of huge foreign exchange. The company is located in Rawalpindi which is covered under Punjab. The Excise department has raised question whether the company has fulfilled local demand of alcoholic beverages before exports. Saleem Mandviwalla noted with concern that the Punjab government has nothing to do with the exports. “Excise department of Punjab has no mandate to stop exports”. How the Punjab government can stop exports of a leading beverage company on the argument that they have fulfilled local demands or not, he said. The official of the Punjab government informed the committee that we have no issue with this company’s exports. Mandviwalla intervened that if there is no issue why the company has approached this parliamentary panel. The committee issued instructions to the Punjab government to resolve the issue of the Provincial Excise department.