MULTAN, Nov 18: The Anti-Terrorism Court No 1 on Thursday declared a trader, his son and a servant proclaimed offenders in toxic liquor cases. The judge also directed the police to arrest and produce them before court on Dec 18.

Over three dozen people had died after consuming toxic liquor in Multan and Muzaffargarh districts a few months ago. At least eight cases were registered in different police stations.

Bootleggers were rounded up and some of them disclosed that they had purchased the liquid from men of Israr Hussain Sherazi. They said Sherazi ran a methylated spirit unit at Industrial Estate Multan which was closed after its license was cancelled some months ago.

The ATC judge had issued warrants for arrest of Shirazi, who is also a circus owner, his son Khurram and servant Mubarak but the police failed to arrest them.

On Thursday, the judge declared them POs and directed Alpa SHO to arrest and produce them before court on Dec 18.

In another toxic liquor case, the same court had on Nov 8 sought explanation from Qutabpur SHO as to why the name of Israr Shirazi was missing from the challan despite mentioning of his name in the FIR.

The SHO would submit explanation and fresh challan in this case on Nov 27.-APP