Scope of 'alias'

[DLearner via Digitalmars-d-learn]

    >>>
    void foo(pint p1) {
       alias pint=uint;
       import std.stdio;
       writeln("p1 = ", p1);
    }
    void main() {
      alias pint=uint;
      pint var1;
      var1 = 7;
      foo(var1);
    }
    <<<

Does not compile.

But the rather similar:

alias pint=uint;

    void foo(pint p1) {
       import std.stdio;
       writeln("p1 = ", p1);
    }

    void main() {
      pint var1;
      var1 = 7;
      foo(var1);
    }
    <<<

Is fine.

So 'alias' only valid from definition to end-of-function, rather 
than whole function?

Best regards