Islamabad( The COW News Digital)Two Chinese companies have formally applied for licenses to export donkey meat and bones from Pakistan, a move that has sparked both economic interest and public debate across the country.
According to reliable sources in the Ministry of National Food Security, the companies have submitted applications for both slaughterhouse setup and export permissions. The regulatory process is currently underway, with authorities conducting thorough vetting of the applications to ensure all export standards and food safety protocols are met.
Officials clarified that once the regulations are finalized, Pakistan could begin exporting donkey meat and bones to China, where demand is reportedly high due to the use of donkey-derived products in traditional Chinese medicine and gelatin production.
The plan involves the export of meat strictly through Gwadar Port in Balochistan, and Chinese firms have been instructed that meat processing and packing must take place only within designated facilities in Gwadar. This restriction has been placed to prevent any unauthorized distribution of donkey meat within Pakistan’s local markets — a concern that authorities have highlighted in the past.
Earlier reports from the Islamabad Food Authority revealed the illegal preparation and supply of donkey meat in parts of the capital. In one recent raid in the Tarnol area of Islamabad, 25 maunds (approximately 1000 kg) of donkey meat were confiscated. Additionally, a foreign national was reportedly operating an unlicensed and unlawful meat operation within the city.
Officials from the Ministry of Food Security emphasized that any export arrangement must ensure traceability, transparency, and strict monitoring, especially considering public concerns over meat fraud in domestic markets.
They also added that if the export deal materializes, Pakistan could earn substantial foreign exchange, offering a unique niche in agricultural exports. Given that donkeys are not commonly consumed in Pakistan and have traditionally been used for labor, the idea of their meat being exported has drawn mixed reactions.
Public opinion on social media reflects a combination of economic optimism and health concerns, with many Pakistanis demanding that the government put strict safeguards in place to prevent donkey meat from entering the local food chain.
The Ministry has assured that all necessary protocols will be implemented before granting any final license.
