After swine for US troops in Afghanistan, Pakistan eyes donkey meat exports to China

Men ride on a donkey cart on a street during monsoon rains in Karachi on July 6, 2020. (AFP/File)
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Updated 23 October 2024
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After swine for US troops in Afghanistan, Pakistan eyes donkey meat exports to China

  • Pakistan reported a population of 5.5 million donkeys in 2024, one of the highest in the world, as per official data 
  • Islamabad previously exported swine meat, prohibited for consumption, for NATO personnel in Afghanistan 

KARACHI: Pakistan’s food ministry has signed an agreement with a Chinese company to establish a donkey slaughterhouse and hide processing facility in southwestern Gwadar city to export the animal’s meat and hides to China, an official confirmed this week, after Islamabad previously exported the meat of swine, another animal prohibited for local consumption, to Afghanistan for American troops stationed there. 

Pakistan is frequently listed as one of the countries with the highest number of donkey populations worldwide, with Islamabad reporting its donkey population had increased to 5.9 million during the fiscal year 2023-24 from 5.5 million in 2019-2020, the Pakistan Economic Survey (PES) 2023-24 said. 

This is not Pakistan’s first venture into exporting animal meat illegal for consumption in the country. In the 2015-16 financial year, Islamabad exported $2.8 million worth of swine meat, primarily to Afghanistan, for the dietary needs of NATO personnel stationed there. As per data from the country’s central bank, Pakistan exported $447,000 worth of swine meat to Afghanistan in the 2016–17 financial year. 

While donkey meat is prohibited in Pakistan, with food authorities in the eastern Punjab province sealing eateries in the past for passing off donkey meat as beef, the animal’s meat and hides are quite popular in China. Gelatin derived from donkey hides is highly sought after in China for its use in Ejiao, a traditional medicinal remedy. Several Chinese eateries sell donkey meat and burgers for consumption. “Fat Wang’s Donkey Burger” in Beijing is a popular restaurant known for its donkey burgers.

“This facility will process donkeys into meat and gelatine for export to China,” Dr. Muhammad Akram, an official of Pakistan’s Ministry of National Food Security and Research, told Arab News about the slaughterhouse and hide processing facility in Gwadar.

The Donkey Sanctuary, a British charity, reports that approximately 5.9 million donkeys are slaughtered worldwide annually for their hides. Due to a decline in its domestic donkey population, China has increasingly turned to global sources to meet the demands of its Ejiao industry, the Donkey Sanctuary says. In July, Pakistan’s commerce ministry informed a Senate standing committee that protocols for exporting donkey hides and meat to China had been finalized.

Dr. Saif-ur-Rehman, who was part of a team of Pakistani and Chinese researchers who conducted a study in 2020 that concluded donkey meat exhibits “good antioxidant activity,” said Pakistan would have to ensure donkey breeding if it wants to export its meat to China. 

“Pakistan is very fertile for donkey breeding, as it does not face fertility issues encountered by other animals,” Dr. Rehman told Arab News. “Despite the natural growth being good and the population reportedly increasing, slaughtering should be started only after breeding farms are established.”

Dr. Rehman said donkeys were a popular source of medicinal products in China. According to the 2020 study, which was titled: “The Extracting Technology for Antioxidant Oligopeptides from Donkey Meat,” donkey hides are believed to enrich human blood and enhance the production of white blood cells in it, making the animal’s meat useful in adjuvant chemotherapy. 

Donkey meat is said to improve liver and kidney functions, promote blood health, boost immunity and offer anti-aging benefits as well as enhancing eyesight and the performance of lungs, the study further says. 

Dr. Akram said the government will prohibit public purchasing of donkeys until breeding centers are established by the Chinese company in all four Pakistani provinces. This he said was important as Pakistan wanted to sustain the population of donkeys.

“This multimillion-dollar project represents a significant investment, contributing to the broader scope of Chinese investment in Pakistan,” he explained. 

Dr. Akram emphasized that the meat will not enter Pakistan, a Muslim-majority country, where halal dietary guidelines prohibit the consumption of donkey meat.

 “Located in a free zone, the facility with an only exit by air or sea [policy] will ensure that the meat is only exported, preventing any by-products from entering Pakistan,” the food ministry official explained. “A quarantine officer will be present to oversee the export process and ensure compliance.”

Muhammad Zubair Motiwala, chief executive of the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), confirmed donkey by-products will be sent abroad.

“They [Chinese company] will take it and use both the skin and the meat,” Motiwala told Arab News. “But it will have significant benefit,” he said, adding that there were animals in Pakistan that could be exported to other countries as they were not consumed locally.


Pakistani journalist Farhan Mallick arrested by Federal Investigation Agency— family 

Updated 20 March 2025
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Pakistani journalist Farhan Mallick arrested by Federal Investigation Agency— family 

  • Mallick is the founder and chief executive officer of Pakistani online news media platform “Raftar“
  • FIA official says Mallick ran programs against Pakistan’s “security establishment,” says local media report

Islamabad: Pakistani journalist Farhan Mallick, the founder and chief executive officer of prominent online news media platform “Raftar,” was arrested by Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) officials on Thursday without providing any justification, his son wrote on social media platform X. 

The former news director of Pakistani TV channel Samaa, Mallick heads Raftar which describes itself as a “dynamic platform dedicated to driving social change through the power of storytelling” on its social media platforms. Raftar, which has over 749,000 subscribers on YouTube, has released documentaries and videos critical of the Pakistani government and powerful military’s policies. 

A message posted from Mallick’s account on social media platform X by his son said FIA officials “barged” into his office on Wednesday night. The statement said the FIA officials verbally summoned him to their office on Thursday. 

“Like any law-abiding citizen, he went— only to be made to wait for hours without cause,” the statement said. “Then, at 6 PM, they arrested him. No explanation. No justification. Nothing.”

Pakistani English language newspaper Dawn quoted FIA Cyber Crime Reporting Center Additional Director Shahzad Haider as saying that an inquiry was initiated against Mallick around three months ago.
According to Dawn, the official said Mallick had run “several programs against the security establishment,” adding the Raftar founder was arrested on Thursday after the inquiry against him was formally completed.
In a statement, Raftar confirmed Mallick had been arrested but said they were not informed why. The platform said it was deeply concerned about the “blatant intimidation of independent journalism” in Pakistan. 
“We demand immediate clarity on Mr. Mallick’s arrest and call for the protection of journalists and media professionals from unjust harassment,” it said. 
Successive governments in Pakistan have enacted different laws and introduced amendments in existing laws to enhance their control over social media content and discourage dissent by filing cases against journalists and activists for violating the laws. The government says it has enacted these laws to ensure data protection, privacy and to ensure people’s safety on social media. 
In recent years, journalists in Pakistan have complained of increasing government and military censorship, intimidation and harassment as well as digital abuse. Authorities deny they persecute journalists. Last year was a dangerous one for the press in Pakistan, with at least six journalists killed in direct or suspected relation to their work, the CPJ said in October 2024.
A recent report by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) ranked Pakistan as the 12th-worst country for press freedom in South Asia. According to the CPJ, 103 journalists and media workers have been killed in Pakistan between 1992 and 2024.


Pakistan and UK discuss security cooperation, adopting joint strategy against ‘terrorism’

Updated 20 March 2025
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Pakistan and UK discuss security cooperation, adopting joint strategy against ‘terrorism’

  • Pakistan PM’s adviser Rana Sanaullah meets British High Commissioner Jane Marriott, says state media 
  • Both discuss reinforcing intelligence sharing and operational cooperation in counter terrorism efforts

ISLAMABAD: Rana Sanaullah, adviser to the prime minister on political affairs, met British High Commissioner Jane Marriott on Thursday to discuss enhancing security cooperation between the two countries and adopting a joint strategy against “terrorism,” state-run media reported.

Pakistan and the United Kingdom (UK) share a long-standing relationship built on strong diplomatic, economic and security ties. Over the years, the militaries of both countries have maintained robust cooperation, particularly in the fields of counterterrorism and professional training.

The meeting between the two officials took place amid Pakistan’s struggle to contain surging militancy, particularly in its southwestern Balochistan province, where separatist militants last week hijacked a train and held hundreds hostage before the army launched a rescue operation. The military said it killed all 33 militants while 31 Pakistani soldiers, staff and civilians were killed. 

“The discussion also focused on adopting a joint strategy against terrorism, increasing security cooperation, and taking collaborative measures to ensure regional peace and stability,” state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reported about the meeting between Sanaullah and Marriott.

“Both dignitaries agreed on reinforcing intelligence sharing and operational cooperation in counter terrorism efforts.”

The APP said both also spoke about strengthening economic partnerships, enhancing trade relations and exploring new avenues of mutual cooperation between Pakistan and the UK.

“Additionally, cultural exchanges and the promotion of people-to-people ties were discussed to further strengthen relations between the two nations,” the statement said. 

Pakistan and the UK have a long and multifaceted relationship, with the latter hosting a large Pakistani diaspora community. Pakistan is also a member of the Commonwealth, a voluntary association of 56 countries out of which the vast majority are former British territories.


Former Pakistan coach Bradburn fined after discriminatory conduct during Glamorgan stint 

Updated 20 March 2025
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Former Pakistan coach Bradburn fined after discriminatory conduct during Glamorgan stint 

  • Bradburn was sacked by Glamorgan in December following internal investigation into his behavior
  • Bradburn allegedly asked players from Asian background what their “real age” was, implying they lied

LONDON: Former Glamorgan coach Grant Bradburn has been fined and warned about his future conduct after admitting to discriminatory conduct during his spell with the Welsh county cricket side.
Bradburn was sacked by Glamorgan in December following an internal investigation into the New Zealander’s behavior.
A Cricket Discipline Commission (CDC) found the former Scotland and Pakistan coach twice made comments with “racist connotations” and also made a remark with “sexist connotations.”
The 58-year-old has been ordered to attend an educational course and fined £500 ($648), in addition to the reprimand.
In its written reasons for the sanction, the CDC said it was alleged Bradburn asked players from an Asian background what their “real age” was, implying they do not tell the truth about their age.
It was also alleged he said during a pre-season team meeting that when making cricket selection decisions in Pakistan, players would pick their friends or cousins or pick names out of a hat.
Bradburn allegedly used the phrase “this isn’t Western Storm” (a former women’s team) during a fielding practice session when he considered that male players were demonstrating a lack of intensity, “throwing like girls.”
Bradburn, a former New Zealand off-spinner, coached Scotland from 2014 to 2018.
He worked as Pakistan’s fielding coach, subsequently taking over as head coach in 2023 — a role he left after less than a year, prior to joining Glamorgan in January 2024.


At least 1,141 Pakistanis killed and injured due to ‘terrorism’ from Jan. 1 to Mar.16— minister 

Updated 20 March 2025
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At least 1,141 Pakistanis killed and injured due to ‘terrorism’ from Jan. 1 to Mar.16— minister 

  • Tallal Chaudry says three law enforcement personnel, two civilians are killed daily across Pakistan due to “terrorism”
  • Minister of state for interior urges opposition to support government in its war against surging militancy in country 

ISLAMABAD: At least 1,141 Pakistanis have been killed and injured from Jan. 1 to Mar. 16 in “terrorism” incidents, Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudry said on Thursday, urging provinces to support the central government in its battle against militants. 

Pakistan has seen a surge in militant attacks in its western provinces bordering Afghanistan and Iran in recent days, especially Balochistan, where separatist militants last Tuesday stormed a train and held hundreds of passengers hostage before the army launched a rescue operation. The army killed all 33 militants while a final count showed 23 soldiers, three railway employees and five passengers had died in the attack.

Days later on Sunday, five people including three paramilitary soldiers were killed in a blast in Balochistan’s Nushki district. A top parliamentary panel met on Tuesday to discuss the prevalent security situation in the country, calling for national consensus and political unity to battle militancy. 

“From the previous [month], Jan. 1 to Mar. 16, the figures say that 1,141 casualties of terrorism have taken place. This includes both the martyred and the injured,” Chaudry said during a news conference. “Out of this, 1,127 alone are from KP and Balochistan.”

He said on a daily basis, three law enforcement agencies’ personnel are killed and seven are injured while two civilians are killed and four injured across Pakistan. 

The opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, which is in power in KP province, boycotted the parliamentary panel on national security’s meeting this week and said it would not support any fresh military operation in the country. 

Chaudry criticized the PTI, saying that it would not be possible to eliminate “terrorism” from the country if both KP and Balochistan provinces did not join the state in battling militants. The minister blamed the PTI for creating controversies to undermine Pakistan’s war against militancy. 

“We are not starting a new operation neither has there been talk of a new operation,” Chaudry clarified. “But whether it is Azm-e-Istehkam or the National Action Plan, they will be implemented, and it will be ensured that they are implemented,” he said, referring to Pakistan’s previous initiatives against militancy. 

Pakistan ranks as the second-most affected country by terrorism, according to The Global Terrorism Index 2025. Militancy-related deaths surged by 45 percent, rising from 748 in 2023 to 1,081 in 2024, marking one of the steepest global increases.

Pakistan’s security forces are battling the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) or Pakistani Taliban militants in KP province. Islamabad accuses Kabul of sheltering TTP militants, an allegation the Afghan Taliban deny strongly.

In Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province by land but its poorest by almost all social and economic indicators, separatist militants have been fighting security forces for decades for a greater share in the natural resources of the province. Pakistan’s federal government and military point to various education and health initiatives undertaken in Balochistan, reiterating their resolve to bring about progress in the province. 


Pakistan to hold Mar. 23 military parade on ‘limited scale’ due to Ramadan

Updated 20 March 2025
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Pakistan to hold Mar. 23 military parade on ‘limited scale’ due to Ramadan

  • Parade will mark 85th anniversary of Pakistan’s republic day celebrated each year on Mar. 23 to celebrate adoption of Lahore Resolution
  • Pakistan honors foreign dignitaries, national heroes with top civilian awards, features tanks, missiles, UAVs, and air defense systems at parade

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Day military parade will be held this year on Mar. 23 on a “limited scale” due to the holy month of Ramadan, state-run media reported on Thursday, with contingents of the country’s three armed forces set to participate in the spectacle. 
The parade will be held on the 85th anniversary of Pakistan’s republic day, marked each year to celebrate the adoption of the Lahore Resolution by the Muslim League party, which called for the creation of an independent state for the Muslims of India on Mar. 23, 1940.
While last year the event was held at the Parade Avenue in Pakistan’s capital Islamabad, this year it is scheduled to take place within the premises of the Aiwan-e-Sadr or the official residence of Pakistan’s president. President Asif Ali Zardari will be the chief guest on the occasion, state broadcaster Radio Pakistan said. 
“Pakistan Day Parade will be held on Sunday on a limited scale with traditional enthusiasm,” it said. “The decision to hold the parade on a limited scale was made due to the month of Ramadan,” Radio Pakistan said. 
Pakistan Air Force (PAF) fighter jets will also conduct a fly past, a ceremonial or honorific flight by an aircraft or group of aircraft, during the occasion. 
“Foreign ambassadors and other distinguished guests have also been invited to the event,” the state media reported. 
Pakistan honors foreign dignitaries and national heroes on the occasion with top civilian awards. The parade also features mechanized columns including tanks, armored personnel carriers, rocket launchers, air defense system, guns, UAVs, short-and-long-range Pakistani missiles such as Ra’ad, Nasr, Babur, Shaheen, Ghauri and Ababeel every year. 
This year the military parade takes place as Pakistan grapples with surging militancy, especially in its southwestern Balochistan province bordering Iran and Afghanistan. Separatist militants last Tuesday bombed a section of the railway track and stormed the Peshawar-bound Jaffar Express train carrying over 400 passengers in the mountainous Bolan region. 
The crisis was resolved the following day when the armed forces carried out a successful operation to rescue the hostages, killing all 33 militants in the process. A final count showed 23 soldiers, three railway employees and five passengers had died in the attack.
Violence persisted in the region days later as a blast killed five, including three paramilitary soldiers, in the province’s Nushki district on Sunday. 
Both attacks were claimed by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), an ethnic separatist militant outfit in the province. The BLA is the largest and strongest of several ethnic Baloch insurgent groups which have been fighting for decades to win a larger share of the natural resources of mineral-rich Balochistan, which is also home to major China-led projects including a port and gold and copper mines.