KEY POINTS
- Authorities say no evidence of donkey meat being sold or consumed in Islamabad’s markets, restaurants, or hotels
- The illegal slaughterhouse at a Tarnol farmhouse is under further investigation for unlicensed operations
- The donkey meat was destined for export
- Two Chinese companies have applied for licenses to export donkey meat from Pakistan
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani authorities have confirmed that no donkey meat was found in markets, restaurants, or hotels across the capital, Islamabad, after an investigation into an illegal slaughterhouse uncovered on the city’s outskirts.
The probe was launched after the discovery of donkey carcasses at a farmhouse in the Tarnol area, raising public concern over possible local distribution.
Islamabad authorities have concluded their probe into the incident. The joint investigation found no proof that the controversial meat ever reached the city’s markets, restaurants, or hotels, officials said.
Irfan Nawaz Memon, Director of the Islamabad Food Authority (IFA) and Deputy Commissioner Islamabad, shared insights with WE News English about the thorough investigation.
“Our dedicated teams, including Assistant Commissioners, ICT Police, and IFA officials, combed through numerous markets and dining spots, collecting and testing meat samples. Not once did we find donkey meat being sold or served anywhere in Islamabad,” Memon said.
While farmhouses do not require official permits or NOCs, this particular site was operating as an illegal slaughterhouse, a fact now under further investigation.
The Food Authority director revealed preliminary findings suggesting that the donkey meat was destined for foreign nationals and likely to be shipped beyond Islamabad’s borders. A comprehensive report is expected to be shared in the coming days.
Debunking myths around donkey meat, the deputy commissioner explained, “Donkeys are valuable animals, priced between PKR 80,000 to 100,000. The meat is not a cheap substitute either, as its cost is not far below that of beef from cows or buffaloes. Stray donkeys are rare, making this meat a costly commodity.”
Investigation Concludes
Islamabad police provided further details, unveiling an export operation interrupted just in time. Sixty donkeys were transported from Faisalabad, with 15 slaughtered over a 17-day period.
The meat and hides were slated for export to China via Gwadar Port, but authorities seized the shipment before it could leave, police officials said.
The owner of the warehouse, a Chinese national named Jiang Liang, cooperated with police, recording his statement.
Meanwhile, two other key figures—Fayyaz, who rented the facility, and Aamir, a property dealer—were apprehended in Taxila for failing to provide rent documents and other required paperwork. Both men were booked and sent to jail on judicial remand, though their offences remain bailable.
Islamabad Police concluded their investigation just four days after the raid. “No evidence confirms that the donkey meat was ever distributed or consumed within Islamabad,” a police source said. “Everything points to it being an export-only operation.”
Donkey Meat Export Licenses
Separately, two Chinese companies have applied for official licenses to export donkey meat from Pakistan. The Ministry of National Food Security and Research is considering regulating this emerging trade.
One of the companies, Hengyang, has already signed a formal agreement with Pakistani authorities and built a slaughterhouse facility in Gwadar, which is ready to start operations pending China’s regulatory approval.
Officials emphasised that donkey meat production will only be allowed at this designated facility, with no slaughterhouses permitted elsewhere in Pakistan.
The ministry expressed hope that legal exports of donkey meat and bones via Gwadar will open a new economic opportunity for the country.
Meanwhile, concerns remain after Islamabad authorities uncovered an illegal donkey meat operation on the outskirts of the capital involving a foreign national operating without a license.
The ministry confirmed a second Chinese company has also applied for export licenses as the government moves to formalise and control the industry.
Consumer Guidance
While some countries allow regulated trade in donkey meat and hides, Pakistan strictly forbids their sale and consumption due to religious, health, and ethical reasons.
For the country’s Muslim majority, donkey meat is considered haram, or forbidden.
Beyond faith, illegally slaughtered donkey meat poses significant public health risks, as it often bypasses veterinary inspections, increasing the chance of disease.
Veterinarian Dr. Jehangir Khan advises the public on how to spot donkey meat to protect themselves.
He explained that donkey meat is darker, with a bluish tint, and gives off a strong, unusual odour when cooked, very different from the bright red colour and rich smell of halal beef. For certainty, lab tests like ELISA and PCR can confirm the meat’s source.
