TOBA TEK SINGH, 28 December (BelTA – APP) – At least 41 died while the condition of 20 others was stated to be serious in Punjab province after consuming toxic liquor during Christmas celebration. According to MS DHQ hospital TT Singh,
"149 people were affected in the incident which occurred on Monday evening.’
The police and civil administration shifted the affected people to the hospitals. DCO and DPO TT Singh have said that investigation of the incident had been started.
"The maker and supplier of the toxic liquor is also included among the dead,” senior police official Bilal Kamyana told Reuters.
"The maker prepared liquor at home and sold it in polythene bags for 500 rupees (about £5) each.”
Alcohol is mostly prohibited in Muslim-majority Pakistan, but non-Muslims can purchase it from licensed shops. Minorities need permits to buy it in restricted quantities.
Most poor Christians buy homemade liquor for their religious celebrations — which is more affordable but causes deaths almost every year.
