Cheap toxic liquor consumed the lives of at least eight people, while it left four others critical here on Sunday.
Police said that about a dozen men boozed during the annual celebrations at Gathra shrine here and fell sick.
According to eyewitnesses “Soon after downing a good deal of bad moonshine, they started passing out one by one”
According to sources, the dying drinkers were rushed to a local hospital, where eight of them died unconscious, while the lives of four more remain hanging in the balance despite all the efforts of caregivers.
Six of the deceased belonged to Nara Matore area of Kahuta while two were from Kalar Syedan.
The victims were identified as Asif, Ayaz, Naseem, Tasleem, Sheraz, Kamran, Gul Siraj and Waseem.
Chief Minister Punjab, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, has taken notice of deaths and sought a report from the administration and police authorities. He has also ordered an inquiry into the incident.