MULTAN, Oct 27: Eighteen people died and several others fainted after drinking toxic liquor in various parts of Multan and Vehari during the last two days. Multan District Police Officer (DPO) Munir Chishti said on Friday four bootleggers had been arrested and a large quantity of liquor seized.

A senior officer has been deputed to investigate the case.

Most of the victims came from slums and rural areas.

The dead were identified as Haji Muhammad Juma, Pitras, Zahid Hussain, Muhammad Arshad, Muhammad Imran, Habibur Rehman, Aftab Ahmed, Muhammad Tariq, Bilal Ahmed, Muhammad Aslam, Ashiq Hussain, Nazar Hussain, Atiqueur Rehman, Abdul Rauf, Nazar Abbas and police constable Aziz Ahmed. The identity of the rest could not be ascertained.

Sources said over three dozen other people were being treated at various hospitals in Multan and Vehari.

There are a large number of illegal distilleries making substandard liquor which is available on medical stores.

APP adds: The DPO said that most of the people died had made the liquor themselves by mixing Methylated spirit with glue or some other chemicals or syrup.

“Police can not do much if people go merrymaking this way,” he added.

In reply to a question, the DPO said he accepted the responsibility for the deaths on moral grounds but added that relatives of the victims were equally responsible.