ISLAMABAD. Nov 10: Armed with catchy slogans like. "Eat. drink and be Murree.'" and "Eat curry with Mur-ree" Islamic Pakistan's oldest and only brewery begins flogging Its brew in Britain this month, reports AP.

After two decades of prohibition. business at home in Pakistan is barely a dribble for the 137-year-old Murree Brewery Co. Ltd. says owner MP Bhandara.

But he's hoping for a frothing business in Britain.

"Murree Beer is a well-known beer.” Bhandara said. "Before prohibition in 1979, it was exported to many markets, including the United States."

While Bhandara cannot export his beer from Pakistan, an Austrian brewery has been given a license to brew Murree Beer in Austria for export to Britain and other European countries.

Inspired by the success of subcontinental food in Britain. Bhandara said the first outlets for Murree Beer will be in the restaurants that serve cuisine common to the region, like spicy curries, lentils and meat kabobs.

"Subcontinental food has become the third favourite food in the United Kingdom after hamburgers and pizzas." he said. "Curry is very popular in

the UK. that is why one of our slogans will be "Eat curry with Murree."

Indian beers — Kingfisher and Cobra — are likely to be Murree Beer's main competi-

While only the beer produced in Austria will be destined for foreign markets, there is concern abut a backlash at home in Pakistan, where Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is seeking to pass a law introducing a new Islamic order. Under strict Islamic Law. alcohol is forbid-

In Pakistan, non-Muslims who comprise barely three per cent of its 140 million people, are allowed to drink alcohol. For Muslims, it is an offense punishable by jail.

Bhandara's well-guarded brewery in Rawalpindi, some 20 (12.5 miles) kilometres from the capital. Islamabad, produces beer and liquor only for the non-Muslims — officially. But there is a big black market in Pakistan, where anyone can buy Murree Beer.

Producing beer in Pakistan can be troublesome.

'There have been pressures on us from time to time ... and we are certainly very apprehensive." said Bhandara. "I hope this government is not carried away by populist slogans."