On July 26, 2025, the Islamabad Food Authority (IFA) conducted a raid on an illegal slaughterhouse in Tarnol, where they recovered 1,000 kilograms (25 maunds) of donkey meat and detained a foreign national. This meat, suspected for export, highlights Pakistan’s expanding donkey trade, which China’s growing demand for e-jiao largely drives.
Dr. Tahira Siddique, IFA’s Deputy Director, confirmed authorities seized one ton of donkey meat and discovered over 50 donkeys at the Tarnol site, located three miles from Islamabad. The authority stated that exporters likely intended the meat for overseas markets. Officials have registered an FIR against those involved and are destroying the seized meat. Investigators are now tracing potential distribution networks to identify additional supply chains.
اسلام آباد میں فوڈ اتھارٹی کا چھاپہ، گدھے کا 25 من (600 کلو) گوشت برآمد، ترنول کے علاقے سے گوشت برآمد کیا گیا۔ زندہ گدھے بھی برآمد pic.twitter.com/RDmt53KKXY
— Ahmad Warraich (@ahmadwaraichh) July 26, 2025In 2024, Pakistan’s donkey population reached 6.047 million, an increase of 109,000, according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. The rising demand for e-jiao, a medicinal gelatin sought after in China, is driving exports. Geo News reported that a slaughterhouse in Gwadar is set to begin production in February 2025. The Donkey Sanctuary notes that the e-jiao industry requires approximately 5.9 million donkey skins annually, which puts significant pressure on global donkey populations.
China’s e-jiao, a 3,000-year-old Shandong tradition, accounts for 90% of production, per China Daily. The trade raises welfare concerns, with Reuters citing animal cruelty in slaughter practices. The detained foreign national’s role and export destinations are under scrutiny, as X users demand: “Stop the donkey trade!”
The raid reflects Pakistan’s efforts to curb illegal food operations, aligning with initiatives like Sindh’s free parking policy. The IFA’s action may prompt stricter regulations, as exports to China increase following the protocol agreements. The case highlights the tension between economic gains and animal welfare.
The IFA’s Tarnol raid exposes Pakistan’s illegal donkey meat trade, driven by China’s e-jiao market. As investigations continue, calls for regulation intensify.
