Islamabad Food Authority confiscated 1000kgs of donkey meat and around 50 live donkeys rescued in Tarnol, Islamabad.
Islamabd-29.7.2025 After a detailed and strict crackdown in 2017 on Donkey meat slaughterhouses and local food chains of Lahore, on Sunday, 27th July 2025, the local Food Authorities of Islamabad raided an illegal farm and slaughterhouse involved in slaughtering, processing, packaging and provision of donkey meat. Moreover, the spokesperson of Islamabad Food Authority, while briefing to media reported that no export permit or license was found from the farm house, making it all illegal. One foreign national was arrested and handed over to the local police while local accomplices succeeded in fleeing before the raid. An FIR has been registered against the Chinese national who was reportedly living for quite a long time running that illegal business. Officials confirmed that the farmhouse was not registered for any such purpose. Dr. Tahira Siddique, Deputy Director Operations IFA has ensured the confiscated meat has been wasted to prevent any further contamination of local food supply chain. 25 maunds (1000kgs) of packaged meat that was confiscated reportedly packaged to export to China whereas an investigation led by the IFA has started to trace any links to local suppliers.
According to Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, the donkey population of Pakistan has risen by 109,000 by last year, reaching 6.047 million from 5.938 million. As the donkey population of the country continues to increase, China remains a major market for donkey meat hides exports for Pakistan. Previously delays were made to close this deal due to delays in finalizing necessary protocols whereas the protocols have now been met. It has been reported a slaughterhouse in Gwadar has started production to meet surging export demand of donkey meat and hides. Two Chinese firms have applied today to legally export donkey meat after this crackdown on donkey meat racket on Sunday night.
