Lahore: At least 14 people have died and another four fell seriously ill after drinking locally brewed toxic liquor in Multan in Pakistan, a country where alcohol consumption is banned under Islamic law, police said today.
Three men initially fell ill and fainted after drinking the local liquor in Muhalla Sharifpura last night.
Their families quietly admitted them to a private hospital, fearing humiliation among the public and an inquiry by police as alcohol is banned in Pakistan. The three men died
in the hospital.
Soon after, three more men in Muhalla Sharifpura died after drinking the local liquor while eight others were taken to hospital, where they too died. Two brothers were among the dead, police said.
An investigation has been launched into the incident, officials said. Alcohol is officially available in Pakistan only to non-Muslims and foreigners who are issued special permits.
However, most large cities have well-established networks of bootleggers while local liquor is brewed in smaller cities and towns.
Bureau Report
First Published: Monday, December 21, 2009, 19:52