Fatal food: cook held

LAHORE: Police have arrested a cook in Pakistan who is accused of poisoning to death 22 people as part of a political feud between two branches of the same family.

The incident followed recent provincial elections in which Arsal Khan Khichi lost to his cousin Jehanzaeb Khan Khichi, police chief Sadiq Dogar said.

Arsal is accused of paying a cook, Mohammad Rafiq, 50 000 rupees (R4 900) to poison food at his rival’s home. Nearly 50 people became sick and 22 died. – Sapa-AP