DIG to lead drug deaths probe

Nov 29, 2012

LAHORE – Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has set up another team headed by DIG Investigation to probe into deaths caused by cough syrup.

Presiding over a meeting to review the incident on Wednesday, the chief minister said an inquiry on scientific lines into the deaths aimed at leaving no aspect of the incident unnoticed to fix responsibility of the incident and award them punishment.

He said the Punjab government also sent the samples of the syrup and other evidence to the Forensic Lab and Drug Testing Laboratory (DTL). Shahbaz termed the deaths a tragic incident and said as soon the lab reports were available, further action would commence without delay.

He directed the authorities concerned that biological test of the cough syrup should immediately be arranged and every effort should be made for saving the lives of the affected persons. The chief minister ordered DIG Investigation to personally hold the inquiry.

The CM was briefed about the repoet of Chief Minister Inspection Team chairman.

Death toll:  The death toll of toxic cough syrup climbs to 20 as another two people died, police and health officials said on Wednesday.

A 24-year-old Shehzad and 26-year-old Muhammad Boota alias Bhola, the residents of Laajpat Road Shahdara, lost their lives at the hospital.

The health authorities have banned the syrup while the police are also interrogating the owner and employees of a medical store for selling the ‘deadly’ syrup. The police have removed the dead bodies to the morgue for autopsy and are investigating.

Aslo, Special Assistant Khawaja Salman Rafique, CMIT, Prof Dr Faisal Masood and former DIG and consultant PCL Chung Maj (r) Mubasher Ullah as well as concerned authorities were present on the occasion.

(The Nation)

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