Meet man who heads Rs 1.66 lakh crore company that leads Pakistan's highly-regulated liquor business, famous for its...

The liquor business is one of the most profitable industries worldwide, even in countries with strict regulations or prohibitions on alcohol. Pakistan, a nation where 96% of the population is Muslim, is an example of this. Under Pakistani law, Muslims are forbidden from consuming alcohol, and doing so is a punishable offense. However, alcohol can still be legally sold to non-Muslims and foreigners with special permits.

In Pakistan, the highly regulated liquor business is dominated by the Bhandara family, a Parsi family that owns Murree Brewery. This brewery, one of the oldest in Asia, was acquired by the family in 1947 after Pakistan gained independence. Today, Isphanyar Bhandara, a prominent businessman and politician, runs Murree Brewery, making it the largest liquor manufacturer in the country.

Despite the restrictions, Murree Brewery has flourished under Isphanyar’s leadership. The company is known for its emphasis on quality, using top-grade raw materials to produce its beverages. While it specializes in alcoholic drinks like beer, whiskey, and vodka, it also produces non-alcoholic beverages such as fruit juices and packaged drinking water, which are exported globally.

Murree Beer, brewed with barley imported from Australia, is particularly popular. The brewery also produced single-malt whiskey and vodka, known for their premium quality. Though Murree Beer was once sold in India, this stopped in 2004. However, in 2013, an entrepreneur from Bengaluru launched a franchise to brew and market Murree Beer in India.

Isphanyar Bhandara’s Role and the Parsi Legacy

Isphanyar Bhandara is not only a successful businessman but also a politician and member of Pakistan’s National Assembly. His father served as a minister under the Zia-ul-Haq regime and later as a parliamentarian during Pervez Musharraf’s rule.

The Bhandara family is among the most affluent in Pakistan, but the Parsi community in the country has declined significantly. Once numbering over 20,000 in 1947, fewer than 1,000 Parsis remain in Pakistan today, with many having migrated for economic and socio-political reasons.

Isphanyar’s aunt, Bapsi Sidhwa, a celebrated novelist, is one such migrant. She moved to the United States and is known for her acclaimed novel Ice Candy Man, which inspired the film Earth by Deepa Mehta in 1998.

Advocating for India-Pakistan Trade
Isphanyar Bhandara has been vocal about the need for better trade relations between India and Pakistan. Although Murree Brewery imports raw materials and machinery from India, these imports must go through Dubai, increasing costs. Bhandara has urged both nations to open the Wagah border for direct trade.

He emphasizes the importance of setting aside political disputes, such as the Kashmir issue, to focus on improving the lives of citizens in both countries. “More business will benefit the underprivileged, especially in Pakistan,” he said, calling for cooperation for the common good.