ISLAMABAD:
A lawmaker belonging to Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) has filed a constitutional amendment bill in the National Assembly Secretariat seeking a nationwide ban on alcohol, even for non-Muslims, by removing the existing religious exemption in the Constitution.
According to details, JUI-F’s Naeema Kishwar Khan has proposed an amendment to Article 37 of the Constitution, which currently provides for a limited exception regarding consumption of alcohol for non-Muslims.
The bill, titled “Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2026”, states that it is intended to “further amend the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan”.
The proposed amendment specifically calls for the omission of the words: “and, in the case of non-Muslims, religious purposes” in paragraph (h) of article 37.
The bill clearly states: “In paragraph (h) of the said article, the words ‘and, in the case of non-Muslims, religious purposes’ shall be omitted.”
If enacted, the amendment would effectively eliminate the constitutional basis for granting non-Muslims permits or exemptions for alcohol consumption, leading to a complete nationwide ban without religious distinction.
The bill’s “Statement of Objects and Reasons” maintains that alcohol is prohibited in all religions and that associating its consumption with religious minorities is unfair. “Alcohol is prohibited in all religions, so it is unfair to the country’s religious minorities to label them with alcoholic liquor.”
The document also invokes constitutional provisions relating to Islamic mandates. It refers to Article 227, which states that “all existing laws shall conform to the precepts of Islam established in the Holy Quran and the Sunnah.”
“It is a fact that Islam does not allow a Muslim State to issue permits for the sale of alcoholic beverages to non-Muslims, when they themselves refuse to consume alcoholic beverages as a religion.”
The bill also notes that it will “take effect immediately” once enacted.
