KARACHI: Customs AFU Lahore has seized 500 donkey hides from Royal Shed AFU and arrested two persons.
Additional Collector Jamil Nasir had this information. Subsequently, Assistant collector Export Mohammad Ikram and Superintendent Waqar Baig raided reached the shed and the hides were found to be donkey hides. These goods were meant to be exported to Hong Kong. The arrested persons have been involved into the investigation.
In September 2015, government put a temporary ban on export of donkey hides fearing extinction of the animal or possible consumption of its meat.
It is feared that some unscrupulous elements might have supplied donkey meat to meat markets, even though its human consumption was forbidden.
It was also informed that donkey bones were also being used in China for anti-wrinkle creams that may also be making its way into Pakistani market.
After detailed discussions, the ECC decided to clamp ban on export of donkey hides till such time that regulatory mechanism was put in place by the provinces for proper disposal of carcasses of the animals.