Islamabad Food Authority (IFA) launched an important crackdown against illegal meat trade by dismantling an illegal donkey slaughter operation near Tarnol district near Islamabad, seizing more than one tonne (25 maunds/1,000 kg) of donkey meat during an overnight raid on Saturday and seizing over 50 live donkeys for slaughtering, according to Geo News International and Gulf News reports.
This raid, conducted in coordination with local police and district administration, targeted an illegal facility suspected of operating without legal permission and providing products both locally and internationally. A foreign national was apprehended at the scene while local operatives are reported to have fled before law enforcement arrived – UrduPoint+3 App +3 Gulf News == (Urdu Point and Gulf News are two apps which cover Urdu news +3) (Gulf News =3)).
Operating and Seizure Details
Dr. Tahira Siddique, IFA’s Deputy Director of Operations, confirmed that the meat haul amounted to approximately 1,000 kilograms that was packed and prepared for export. A farm-like facility reportedly housed more than 50 donkeys believed intended for unregulated slaughter and processing at Dunya News International +11 and Gulf News +11.
Meat that had been confiscated was destroyed immediately in order to stop it entering Islamabad’s food supply chain, according to UrduPoint and The News International/Geo News reports.
Investigative measures have been initiated against those accused, with an FIR filed against each accused individual and steps being taken to map out their full distribution network–both domestically and internationally. Officials are reviewing cold storage records, supply chains, and meat routes allegedly connected to export operations. [Sources: News International +3App + UrduPoint].
Market and Demand Pressures
This incident illustrates global market and demand pressures, particularly from China where donkey hides and meat are in high demand for traditional medicinal gelatin known as e-jiao. Pakistan’s donkey population has skyrocketed–from 5.94 million to over 6.047 million within a year–in part to feed this export-driven market, though illegal operations may exist alongside legal ones (Minute Mirror +3 Geo News +3 mes The News International).
Reports indicate that legal protocols were approved in 2023 to permit export of donkey hides from Pakistan, with an authorized processing plant established in Gwadar to supply the Chinese e-jiao industry. But Tarnol was operating outside these frameworks without regulatory oversight – Geo News +3
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The News International (+3).
Food safety specialists have raised serious public health, safety and animal welfare concerns regarding unlicensed slaughterhouses. Without appropriate hygiene standards in place for donkey meat processing or storage facilities, bacteria contamination and disease transmission increases significantly – this risks compromising public health as well as animal welfare concerns. According to Gulf News.
Animal welfare advocates are alarmed over reports that some donkeys were found living in poor health and cramped spaces, suggesting inhumane handling by owners or handlers. Islamabad Food Authority officials recognized the threat this posed to hygiene standards, ethical considerations and public trust of meat supplies; Funday Urdu Forum +8 and App + 8 were called out as potential venues where this problem might exist (The News International +8)
Strategic Message and Next Steps Dr Siddique made it clear that this operation sends an important message: Pakistan welcomes responsible trade in donkey by-products but will not tolerate illegal activities that compromise public health or international standing, according to Dunya News (+13) and Gulf News (+3) and App (+3) sources.
Authorities have asked residents to report suspicious meat suppliers and slaughterhouses. The Institute for Food and Agriculture (IFA) has pledged continued vigilance by expanding raids and strengthening regulatory inspections across the capital region, according to UrduPoint and Minute Mirror articles published this month. For more details, read below (both links contain multiple paragraphs).
Islamabad Food Authority recently conducted a raid in Tarnol Funday Urdu Forum +9 and detained 50 live donkeys during an estimated 1,000 kg haul seized during an inspection of donkey meat from Tarnol Funday Urdu Forum +9. Geo News +9. UrduPoint plus9.
Gulf News +3 Pakistan Defence Forum + Minute Mirror desfasoit an arrest was made, while local suspects remain at large, according to Gulf News +3.
Meat from donkey carcasses could potentially be exported for commercial trade on the black market, according to Gulf News +5, Geo News and Pakistan Defence Forum sources.
With increasing global demand–particularly from China’s e-jiao industry–illicit operations are coming under increased scrutiny. Gulf News, The News International and Minute Mirror all report this trend.
Authorities seized and destroyed meat, filed legal cases against its suppliers and initiated inquiries into supply networks to ensure food safety and uphold public health.
Pakistan’s pledge to enforce food safety laws and curb illegal slaughter practices with this raid underscores their dedication to finding an equitable balance between trade opportunity, legal requirements and ethical considerations.