“We are investigating where the donkey meat was being delivered.”
In a shocking discovery that has rattled Islamabad’s food industry, nearly 1,000 kilograms of donkey meat were seized.
The Islamabad Food Authority (IFA) raided a farmhouse in Tarnol and seized the meat along with over 50 live donkeys on-site.
The operation, led by IFA Deputy Director Dr Tahira Siddique, also resulted in the arrest of a foreign national at the scene.
Officials confirmed that the suspect had been living in the area and ran the illegal operation from there.
The farmhouse was not registered for any such activity, raising questions about regulatory gaps in the federal capital’s meat industry.
A spokesperson for the Islamabad district administration stated:
“We are investigating where the donkey meat was being delivered.”
According to initial findings, the meat was allegedly being processed for delivery to foreign individuals and upscale restaurants.
Sources revealed the meat was found in sophisticated packaging, indicating it may have been prepared for export or elite buyers.
The IFA has ordered that the confiscated meat be destroyed immediately to prevent any further health risk to the public.
Dr Siddique directed law enforcement to register cases against all suspects and dismantle the illegal network completely.
The IFA is now working on identifying local accomplices who may have been part of the wider supply chain in the city.
Authorities also suspect the illegal business may be linked to past incidents of donkey meat distribution across Pakistan.
Social media erupted after the news broke, with memes and sarcastic comments flooding the internet within hours of the raid.
One user commented: “Congratulations. Islamabad has also become Lahore.”
The comments referenced previous donkey meat busts in Lahore, Punjab.
Another joked: “Islamabad will now serve Donkey Shinwari.”
For years, Lahore has faced trolling after it emerged that some eateries had unknowingly served donkey meat to customers.
That reputation is now shifting toward the capital, with many pointing fingers and demanding stricter regulation in Islamabad.
The Jamiatul Quresh Meat Welfare Association responded swiftly, praising IFA’s action and renewing their demand for government oversight.
The group urged top officials, including the President and Prime Minister, to intervene and establish a regulated slaughterhouse.
They specifically proposed I-11/4 as the location, stressing the need to curb the sale of unregulated and unhygienic meat immediately.
Association president Khursheed Ahmed Qureshi said a lack of infrastructure is enabling such criminal enterprises to flourish unchecked.
Other members echoed this concern, calling for harsh punishment and permanent closure of facilities involved in such practices.
While donkey meat is legally exported to China, its unregulated use in domestic food chains has triggered widespread health concerns.
For now, Islamabad joins the list of cities plagued by illegal meat trade, with the public once again doubting what’s on their plate.
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