A lawmaker from Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) has submitted a constitutional amendment bill to the National Assembly Secretariat seeking a complete nationwide ban on alcohol by removing the current religious exemption for non-Muslims.
Member of the National Assembly Naeema Kishwar Khan has proposed changes to Article 37 of the Constitution. At present, paragraph (h) of Article 37 includes an exception that allows alcohol consumption “in the case of non-Muslims, for religious purposes.”
The proposed legislation, titled “The Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2026,” calls for the removal of the words “and, in the case of non-Muslims, religious purposes” from the relevant clause. If approved, the amendment would eliminate the constitutional provision that permits alcohol consumption or licensing for non-Muslims, effectively introducing a complete prohibition without religious distinction.
In the Statement of Objects and Reasons, the bill argues that alcohol is prohibited in all major religions and claims that associating its consumption with religious minorities is inappropriate. The document also cites Article 227 of the Constitution, which requires that laws be brought in conformity with the Injunctions of Islam as outlined in the Holy Quran and Sunnah.
The bill states that it will take effect immediately once enacted, if passed by Parliament.
