27/07/2025
Islamabad Raid Exposes Illegal Donkey Meat Network – 50 Animals, 1,000kg Meat Seized.
The Islamabad Food Authority (IFA) carried out a major raid in Tarnol, just outside the federal capital, uncovering an illegal slaughterhouse where over 50 donkeys and 1,000 kilograms of meat were seized.
According to IFA officials, the recovered meat was allegedly being prepared for illegal export. A foreign national was arrested during the operation, while authorities confirmed that a First Information Report (FIR) has been registered against all those involved. The seized meat is now being destroyed under official supervision.
IFA’s Deputy Director Dr. Tahira Siddique confirmed that the total amount of meat confiscated from the site was one tonne. Investigators are currently tracing other potential supply points connected to the network.
A recent report by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) revealed that the donkey population in Pakistan has increased to 6.047 million, up by 109,000 in the past year.
China remains a significant market for donkey meat and hides, especially for producing e-jiao, a traditional medicinal gelatin that has gained global attention. Due to this rising demand, illegal donkey slaughter cases have been surfacing in Pakistan.
According to The Donkey Sanctuary, a UK-based charity, the global e-jiao industry requires an estimated 5.9 million donkey skins annually, creating immense pressure on donkey populations worldwide.
In February, Geo News reported that a donkey slaughterhouse in Gwadar began operations to meet China’s rising demand for meat, bones, and hides used in e-jiao manufacturing.
E-jiao has a 3,000-year history in China, particularly in Shandong province, which accounts for nearly 90% of the country’s e-jiao production, according to Chinese state media. It is regarded as a national cultural heritage product and holds a prime position in the traditional Chinese medicine market.