Dozens of Pakistani Christians die after consuming toxic alcohol on Christmas

Dozens of Christians died and at least a hundred more fell sick after drinking toxic alcohol during Christmas celebrations in the district of Toba Tek Singh in eastern Punjab.

According to a report from Al Jazeera, at least 42 have died and 150 were taken to the clinics. Muhammad Shahbaz, a local police official, said that the authorities have already taken the alcohol sellers in the district into custody for questioning. He added that five Muslims were among the victims.

Shahbaz also revealed that the individual who was allegedly responsible for arranging the liquor at the Christmas festivities was among the dead.

Senior police official Bilal Kamyana said that the alcohol was prepared at home and sold in polythene bags for 500 rupees or about $5.00 each.

According to the DNA India, five suspects were taken into custody in connection to the alcohol poisoning. The suspects allegedly purchased 20 liters of aftershave lotion and mixed it with other chemicals before they sold it as liquor.

"The men who belong to the Christian community drank liquor on the night of December 25 and went home," said police officer Mohammad Nadeem. "Tragedy struck the next morning when many did not rise from their beds, while others got sick," he went on to say.

Legal breweries exist in Pakistan, but it is illegal for Muslims to buy or drink alcohol. Other minorities need permits to purchase liquor in restricted quantities.

Wealthy Pakistanis are able to buy foreign alcohol at the black market, but the poor often resort to homemade liquor which can contain poisonous methanol.

There have been several incidents of alcohol poisoning in Pakistan in the past. In October 2014, 29 were killed after consuming alcohol tainted with methanol during the Eid public holidays.

In March this year, at least 40 people died after drinking toxic liquor in Tando Muhammad Khan district in Sindh province. Many of the victims belonged to the Hindu Kohli community who had been drinking days ahead of the Holi festival.

Angry residents accused the police of turning a blind eye on illegal alcohol sales. Several police officers in the district were suspended for alleged negligence.