Officials suspended over toxic liquor

Six Pakistani police officers and six senior excise officials have been suspended pending an investigation into the deaths of 29 people who had drunk toxic liquor laced with methanol.

The first deaths occurred in Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city, over the Eid public holidays earlier this week with 17 of the deaths reported within a 24 hour period.

A further 24 people are still being treated in hospital with fears the death toll could rise event further, according to reports in the local press. 

Following the deaths, authorities have temporarily banned the sale of methanol, a chemical commonly used to produce “katchi sharab” – a home made liquor.

Six police officers have so far been suspended for negligence pending an investigation into how the alcohol came to be available and who was selling it.

According to reports by NDTV.com, police have filed a charge of murder against a prime suspect, who was still at large as of Thursday.

Selling and buying alcohol is prohibited in the Islamic Republic, however the government issues licences to a few outlets to cater to minorities in the country.

Consumption of methanol can lead to blindness, liver damage and death.