Pakistan: Donkey meat back on sale as authorities bust illegal slaughterhouse

Dubai: The Islamabad Food Authority (IFA) has dismantled an illegal donkey slaughter operation in the Tarnol area near the federal capital, seizing over one tonne of meat and rescuing more than 50 donkeys destined for unregulated slaughter.

The raid conducted in coordination with local police and the district administration also led to the arrest of a foreign national, believed to be linked to a wider illegal network involved in the processing and export of donkey meat.

IFA Deputy Director Dr Tahira Siddique confirmed that 25 maunds (1,000 kilograms) of meat were found packed and ready for distribution, Geo Tv reported.

“Initial investigations suggest the meat was not only being sold locally but was also being prepared for export abroad, in violation of health, safety, and export regulations,” she said. “The meat was destroyed on site, and further legal action is underway,” she added.

Aa police case has been registered against the accused, and a full-scale investigation is now focused on identifying the buyers and supply chain networks connected to the operation.

The raid comes against the backdrop of soaring international demand for donkey hides and meat, particularly from China, where the animals are not only used in culinary practices but also form the backbone of the e-jiao industry—a traditional medicinal product made from donkey skin collagen.

E-jiao, believed to improve blood circulation, boost immunity, and enhance skin and reproductive health, is a cornerstone of China’s traditional medicine industry. The product has 3,000 years of history and is protected as a form of national cultural heritage, according to Chinese state media. China’s Shandong province alone accounts for 90% of the world’s e-jiao production.

To sustain this demand, millions of donkey hides are needed annually, according to a 2024 report by The Donkey Sanctuary, a UK-based animal welfare organization. This demand has triggered a sharp rise in illegal slaughter around the world and Pakistan is no exception.

While incidents like the Tarnol raid highlight the risks of unregulated trade, Pakistan is also taking steps to legitimize and regulate its involvement in the donkey by-products export market.

In June 2023, Pakistan’s federal cabinet approved protocols to export donkey hides to China. These were part of a broader trade agreement that also included dairy, cattle, and agricultural goods. Following this approval, Pakistan’s first officially sanctioned donkey meat and hide processing plant was launched in Gwadar, operated by China’s Hangeng Trade Company, with an investment of $7 million.

The Gwadar facility is designed to process up to 300,000 hides per year, supplying China’s cosmetics and pharmaceutical sectors. Donkey bones and meat from the plant are also expected to be exported for culinary and medicinal purposes.

This legal framework offers Pakistan a rare opportunity to capitalize on a niche global market while protecting public health, improving traceability, and creating rural economic opportunities.

Pakistan’s donkey population, which stood at 6.047 million in June 2025, has grown by over 109,000 in the past year, according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. However, the increasing demand for hides has sent prices soaring effectively pricing out local buyers in traditional markets, where donkeys are typically purchased for labour and transport.

Traders at these markets report a sharp decline in local demand, with many donkeys now being acquired primarily for export purposes. This price surge, while beneficial to exporters and breeders, is disrupting local supply chains and raising ethical concerns about animal welfare and sustainability.

Veterinary experts and animal welfare advocates are calling for tighter regulation and monitoring to prevent abuse and ensure humane treatment. The illegal slaughter of donkeys, often conducted in unsanitary and makeshift facilities, raises serious public health concerns, as the meat can carry harmful pathogens if not processed and handled properly.

“This is not just about fraud or tradition, it is a matter of health and safety. People consuming mislabeled or contaminated donkey meat are at serious risk,” said one food safety official.

To address this, the IFA has launched a public awareness campaign and urged citizens to report any suspicious activity involving animal slaughter or unlabeled meat sales.

The Tarnol raid reflects both the challenges and opportunities facing Pakistan as it navigates this emerging export market. On one hand, the country stands to benefit from a new source of foreign exchange and rural employment. On the other, it must ensure strict enforcement of laws, protect animal rights, and maintain consumer trust at home and abroad.

Authorities say this week’s operation is just the beginning of a broader crackdown.

Dr Siddique said: “This raid sends a clear message. Pakistan is open to responsible trade, but we will not tolerate illegal operations that put lives at risk and undermine the country’s reputation.”