42 die of toxic liquor in Pakistan

PTI

Lahore: As many as 42 people, including a woman, have died allegedly after consuming spurious liquor in the eastern Pakistani city of Multan in past three days, the police said on Thursday.

Seven persons, including a woman, died after consuming spurious liquor at a function in Multan, 330 km from here.

On Monday, 35 people died after consuming contaminated liquor served at a wedding reception in Multan, they said.

The Punjab government has sought a report from local authorities on the latest incidents.

Meanwhile, the district police has formed a special cell headed by the superintendent of police (Investigation), Mr Shaukat Abbas, to nab those responsible for selling spurious alcohol.

Moonshine (common name for home-distilled alcohol) has claimed scores of lives in southern Punjab, mainly in the cities of Multan and Vehari, over the past few years.

Alcohol is banned in Pakistan and officially available only to non-Muslims and foreigners who have special permits.

However, most large cities have well-established networks of bootleggers while local liquor is brewed in smaller cities and towns.