10 die after consuming toxic liquor in Jhelum

JHELUM: Ten people died and six others were in critical condition on Friday after drinking toxic alcohol in Jhelum’s Christian Colony which is widely known as ‘Sharab Ghot’ amongst locals that is notorious for its production of alcohol.

Amongst those who have died were guests attending a wedding on Thursday night.According to media reports, the alcohol produced in this area is sold widely within Jhelum and deaths have also been reported in areas beyond the Christian Colony where alcohol produced at ‘Sharab Ghot’ has been consumed.

The development comes a day after the Sindh High Court ordered 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 rich Pakistanis buy bootlegged higher grade alcohol at inflated prices, the poor often resort to home brews that contain methanol commonly used in anti-freeze and fuel.Consumption of methanol can lead to blindness, liver damage and death. In 2007, 40 people died in Karachi after drinking contaminated liquor.