Scope of 'alias'

[DLearner]

     >>>
     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