Lab test confirms toxins in food which killed 13

The Chemical Laboratory Rohri, Sukkur district, has confirmed on Friday presence of toxic substances, including insecticide and benzodiazepine, in the meal which claimed lives of 13 persons of a family in Pir Jo Goth in Khairpur district last month.

However, the police still to figure out if the incident was perpetrated or these toxic elements became mixed in the food accidentally.

Gul Baig Brohi, his wife, their five daughters, three sons, his brother and two relatives died over a week's time after consuming poisonous food on August 18. The SSP Khairpur Dr Samiullah Soomro told the media after release of the lab report that the police are investigating the case from all aspects.

"We are treating this case with the utmost seriousness given the loss of innocent lives, including children. We are committed to ensuring that justice is served and that those responsible are held accountable," the SSP said.

A similar tragic incident of food poisoning also occurred in Dadu district on August 24. Two siblings, 12 years old Junaid and his sister Tayaba, died after eating poisonous food while their mother died in shock of deaths of her children. Sikandar Shaikh, father, and his younger son Jawad Shaikh also became sick and were hospitalized. The family had taken a meal at their residence in Kassai Mohalla in Mehar taluka of Dadu.