A member of Pakistan’s National Assembly, Naeema Kishwar Khan of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F), has introduced a constitutional amendment bill seeking a complete nationwide ban on alcohol by removing existing legal exemptions for non-Muslims.
The proposed legislation, titled “The Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2026,” aims to amend Article 37 of Pakistan’s Constitution by deleting the phrase “and, in the case of non-Muslims, religious purposes” from paragraph (h). This clause currently provides constitutional space for non-Muslims to obtain permits for alcohol consumption for religious purposes.
If passed by Parliament, the amendment would eliminate the constitutional basis for any exemptions, effectively enforcing a uniform ban on alcohol throughout the country regardless of religion.
In the statement of objects and reasons, the lawmaker argued that alcohol is prohibited across religions and that linking its consumption to religious minorities is inappropriate. The bill also references Article 227 of the Constitution, which mandates that all laws must conform to the injunctions of Islam as laid down in the Holy Qur’an and Sunnah.
If approved, the proposed ban would take effect immediately upon enactment.
