What’s brewing?: Toxic liquor claims seven lives in Larkana

At least 10 persons who drank the toxic liquor were brought to Chandka Medical College Hospital on Thursday night.

KARACHI:

The consumption of lethal moonshine left seven people dead and three others hospitalised in Larkana on Friday. The two hospitalised patients are said to be in critical condition.

At least 10 persons who drank the toxic liquor were brought from various localities to Chandka Medical College Hospital on Thursday night.

Seven people, identified as Saeed Jakhro, Zahid Abbasi, Farooq Masih, Rizwan Masih, Javed Masih, Amar Lal and Owais Hariya, could not survive.  It is reported that relatively poor consumers buy cheap home-brewed liquor throughout the year as they cannot afford the expensive liquor sold by bootleggers and licenced store owners. The liquor claims, however, several lives, especially during holidays, as those involved in the illegal production of moonshine use substandard alcohol to meet the increased demand and maximise their profits.

“I have directed Larkana SPP Khalid Mustafa Korai to take precautionary measures to curb this illegal business,” assured Sindh Excise and Taxation Minister Mukesh Kumar Chawla, while talking to The Express Tribune.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 19^th, 2013.