ISLAMABAD: The government has conditionally authorised the export of donkey hides through an amendment to the Ministry of Commerce’s Export Policy Order, according to a notification issued on Thursday. The decision effectively lifts a ban imposed by the Economic Coordination Council (ECC) in 2015, when restrictions were enforced amid concerns that donkey meat was being sold in various cities disguised as beef and mutton.
Under the revised policy, the export of donkey hides will only be permitted through designated and approved slaughterhouses operating in the Gwadar Free Zone. The notification confirmed that the clause prohibiting exports would be formally removed from the policy framework.
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The development follows last year’s briefing to the Senate Standing Committee on Commerce, where officials revealed that Pakistan had finalised export protocols with China for donkey hides and meat, along with other agricultural commodities including onions, potatoes, and chillies.
Despite the move, animal welfare concerns remain significant. In August, a consultative workshop on working equines noted that of the 55.5 million donkeys worldwide, nearly six million are slaughtered each year, largely to meet demand for skins. The session highlighted the critical role of donkeys, mules, and horses in sustaining the livelihoods of poor and marginalised communities, while warning of rising risks associated with the donkey skin trade in Pakistan.