10 die after drinking toxic alcohol in Jhelum

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Px15-014 QUETTA: Oct15 - Workers of Anti Narcotics Force destroying the drugs and liquor during a ceremony organized by Anti Narcotics Force. ONLINE PHOTO by Ahmad Kakar

At least 10 people were reported dead on Friday after consuming toxic alcohol in Jhelum.

Deaths were reported in Jhelum’s Christian Colony area which, widely known as ‘sharab ghot’ amongst locals, is famous for its production of alcohol.

Amongst those who have died were guests attending a wedding celebration last night.

The development comes a day after the Sindh High Court order an immediate closure of all wine shops across Sindh.

The incident highlights the proliferation of low-grade liquor in the country, which officially bars people from drinking in the country.

While higher income Pakistanis buy bootlegged higher grade alcohol at heavily inflated prices, the poor often resort to home-brews that can contain methanol, commonly used in anti-freeze and fuel.

Consumption of methanol can lead to blindness, liver damage and death. In 2007, 40 people were killed in Karachi after drinking contaminated liquor.