KARACHI:
It is deeply disturbing to know about donkey meat being clandestinely processed and potentially introduced into the human food chain within the territorial limits of Islamabad. While the prompt intervention by the Islamabad Food Authority is commendable, the very occurrence of such an act — within the jurisdiction of the capital city — reflects a gross failure of regulatory vigilance and enforcement.
This is not merely an incident of illegal slaughter or commercial deception; it constitutes a deliberate endangerment of public health, a fraud upon unsuspecting consumers, and a serious breach of the statutory and regulatory framework governing food safety and hygiene. It is imperative that those responsible are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and are not allowed to exploit procedural delays or institutional inefficiencies in our justice system.
The act of selling or distributing such unfit meat is punishable under Sections 272 and 273 of PPC, 1860, which criminalise the adulteration and sale of noxious food items. Additionally, the offenders may also be prosecuted under the Punjab Pure Food Regulations, 2018 (as extended to Islamabad Capital Territory) and the ICT Animal Slaughter Control Act, which clearly prohibit the slaughter and sale of meat from animals not declared fit for human consumption by a licensed veterinary officer.
Moreover, this episode raises significant constitutional implications. The right to safe, hygienic and lawful food is intrinsically linked with the right to life and dignity guaranteed under Articles 9 and 14 of the Constitution. It thus falls well within the domain of public interest litigation under Article 199, warranting judicial scrutiny and intervention where executive authorities have failed in the discharge of their constitutional obligations.
This incident is not an isolated act but a symptom of deep-rooted institutional apathy and a disconnect between policy formulation and regulatory enforcement. The unwitting public is being exposed to severe health risks, including the transmission of zoonotic diseases such as glanders, anthrax, brucellosis, tetanus and various intestinal infections, which could spread rapidly if such meat is consumed without detection.
The criminal insertion of donkey meat into the human food chain is tantamount to criminal negligence, if not culpable homicide by potential consequence. It is an act of recklessness that undermines the very essence of food safety governance.
The public has a legitimate expectation of transparency, accountability and the protection of their right to health and safety. The relevant authorities and law enforcement agencies must take immediate, coordinated and exemplary legal action.
Riaz Ali Panhwar
Hyderabad
