Karachi: An inquiry committee has said that illegal breweries, which made liquor blamed for the deaths of at least 32 men earlier this month, were being run under the patronage of police officers.
Police department sources on Monday said the panel’s report had recommended the dismissal of five officers, including two deputy superintendents of police and three inspectors.
Authorities in Pakistan’s commercial hub Karachi had suspended a dozen police and excise officials to allow investigations into the deaths of people who consumed methanol-tainted liquor over the Eid public holidays early this month.
Chief minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah had formed the committees to investigate the deaths and appointed a committee under the deputy inspector general of police of district east to probe into the home made liquor and its marketing.
The case was registered at the police station under section 302 of Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), which carries capital punishment if proven.
The incident highlights the proliferation of low-grade liquor in the country, which officially bars Muslims from drinking.
Though legal breweries exist in Pakistan, the sale of alcohol and its consumption is prohibited for Muslims and tightly regulated for minorities and foreigners.
While bootlegged higher grade alcohol is available at heavily inflated prices, the poor often resort to home-brews that at times contain methanol, commonly used in anti-freeze and fuel.
In Hyderabad city, some 180 kilometres north of Karachi, 25 people died last month after drinking methanol-tainted liquor.
An inquiry committee was also set up to probe into the deaths.
In 2007, 40 people were killed in Karachi after drinking contaminated liquor.
Consumption of methanol can lead to blindness, liver damage and death.
