The Islamabad Food Authority (IFA) on Sunday detained a foreign national and recovered a large quantity of donkey meat in a surprise raid on a facility in Tarnol, raising concerns about illegal meat distribution in the federal capital.
Officials raided a site in Tarnol and seized over 25 mounds (1,000 kg) of donkey meat. The team also discovered more than 60 live donkeys allegedly being kept for illegal slaughter and meat supply.
It has been revealed that the meat was allegedly being supplied not only to local markets but also exported abroad. Further investigations are underway regarding the distribution network and the buyers involved.
According to sources, the operation was being overseen by a Chinese national who had been actively operating in the Tarnol area for a long time.
IFA Deputy Director Operations Dr Tahira Siddique confirmed that a foreign national was taken into custody at the site, while all local individuals involved managed to escape before law enforcement arrived.
The arrested person was handed over to police for further legal action, she said, adding the IFA acted swiftly after receiving a tip-off. "We received information late at night and dispatched teams immediately. Upon reaching the location, we found several live donkeys and a large quantity of meat," she said.
According to her, the individuals behind the operation had set up a complete slaughtering and meat-processing setup, which had reportedly been functional for some time. The initial investigation suggests that the meat was primarily being supplied to foreign nationals residing in the city, though officials have not ruled out wider distribution.
"Selling donkey meat without proper permission or documentation is illegal," Dr Tahira said and added that the suspects were not in possession of any export permits or licenses, making the operation unlawful on multiple counts.
The IFA has initiated an inquiry to determine which areas the meat had already been supplied to, and how long the operation had been running. Investigators are also trying to identify local partners or suppliers who may have been assisting the operation.
The meat recovered during the raid was immediately destroyed to prevent any chance of it entering the local food supply. Dr Tahira confirmed that the entire process was documented for legal and investigative purposes. "We ensured safe disposal of the meat, and we have the complete footage of the destruction," she said.
Local police registered an FIR following the raid. Authorities are continuing to search for the other suspects involved in the illegal activity.
Dr Tahira further stated that the raid was not just about law enforcement but also about protecting public health. "The risk this poses to our food chain is serious. Whether it is about hygiene, public safety, or religious concerns, such illegal practices cannot be allowed in our system," she said.
The IFA also suspected that donkey meat might have been supplied to different parts of Islamabad under the guise of legal meat products.
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