KARACHI: At least 40 persons are known to have fallen victim to life-long paralysis of a serious type here by consuming adulterated sesamum oil supplied by a stockist. The actual number of victims is, however, feared to be much larger.
This startling fact came to light early this week after the KMC laboratory had detected the presence of an adulterant in sesamum oil used for cooking by the unfortunate victims of paralysis. It has been established that the paralysis was caused, in all cases, due to the presence of this adulterant which is said to be a mineral oil.
The KMC authorities recently raided 40 shops in various localities and seized 80 maunds of sesamum oil reported to have been supplied by the stockist. A KMC handout said appropriate government authorities have been informed and severe action against the offenders has been strongly recommended.
Of the known 40 victims, 21 are woman, 14 men and five children. An entire family — husband, wife and two daughters aged 11 and 16 — has been paralysed. Most of the victims live in areas like Kharadar, Keamari and Lyari.
The adulterant used is reported to be an organic compound which causes neurotoxic poisoning.
King Saud refuses to sign constitutionJEDDAH: A brief communiqué issued by Mecca Radio yesterday announced that the king had refused to sign the new constitution which had talked of putting in place an elected National Assembly.
A group of liberal princes had drafted the 200 articles and a long preamble of the constitution. The leader of the liberal group is the king’s younger brother, Emir Talal Ibn Abdel Aziz, who was named by King Saud to the key post of finance minister in the new cabinet.
The King refused to promulgate the new constitution which has been made public by Emir Talal and the group of liberal princes. He opposed in particular the idea of announcing an early meeting of the proposed assembly.
Emir Feisal had been compelled to leave the premiership a week ago because he had refused to accept reforms which the king proposed to apply in the country. Most of the other princes had approved those reforms.