IFA Seizes One Tonne of Donkey Meat Near Islamabad; Suspected Export Operation Uncovered

ISLAMABAD; The Islamabad Food Authority (IFA) has seized 1,000 kilograms of donkey meat in a raid on an illegal slaughterhouse in the Tarnol area, located on the outskirts of the federal capital.

According to the IFA spokesperson, the raid led to the discovery of more than 50 live donkeys and a large quantity of pre-packed meat, suspected to be intended for export. A foreign national was taken into custody from the site, and officials are investigating possible distribution channels both locally and abroad.

IFA Deputy Director Dr. Tahira Siddique confirmed that a total of one tonne of meat was confiscated and is now being destroyed. The Authority’s Director has directed that a First Information Report (FIR) be registered immediately against those involved in the illegal activity.

This development comes amid growing concerns over the booming demand for donkey meat and byproducts, particularly from China, where donkey hides are used to produce e-jiao, a traditional gelatin believed to offer health benefits.

According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), Pakistan’s donkey population has grown significantly, with an increase of 109,000 animals over the past year, bringing the total to 6.047 million.

China’s longstanding interest in e-jiao has triggered global demand for donkey hides, leading to widespread slaughter around the world. A Reuters report last year quoted animal welfare experts who warned of the alarming rate at which donkeys are being culled to meet China’s e-jiao industry, which reportedly consumes 5.9 million skins annually.

A report by The Donkey Sanctuary, a UK-based animal welfare group, highlighted the strain this demand has placed on global donkey populations. In Pakistan, media reports earlier this year noted that a Gwadar-based slaughterhouse had begun production to meet Chinese demand for donkey meat, bones, and hides.

E-jiao, with roots dating back 3,000 years in Shandong province, is classified as a national cultural heritage product in China and is one of the most significant exports in the traditional Chinese medicine sector.

The incident in Tarnol has once again drawn attention to the ethical, legal, and public health concerns surrounding the unregulated donkey trade in Pakistan and other developing countries.