Pakistan’s Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) has approved the export of donkey meat and hides (skins) from a special slaughterhouse in Gwadar. The decision came during a recent meeting chaired by the Finance Minister. The ECC also approved technical grants for different government departments.
This move is part of a regulated framework to allow controlled exports. A Chinese company, Hangeng Trading Enterprise, has built a modern donkey slaughterhouse in the Gwadar North Free Zone at a cost of around $50 million. The facility can process over 200,000 donkeys per year and aims to export about 50 containers of meat and hides every month, mainly to China.
Pakistan had banned donkey hide exports in 2015 after reports of donkey meat being sold illegally as beef or mutton in local markets. The new policy lifts parts of that ban, but with strict conditions. Exports are allowed only from approved slaughterhouses inside the Gwadar Free Zone. This setup prevents products from entering Pakistan’s domestic market and ensures all processing follows national trade rules, customs checks, and health standards.
China has a high demand for donkey skins to make ejiao, a traditional medicine. It also imports donkey meat and other parts. Pakistan has one of the largest donkey populations in the world. Officials say the project will bring foreign money, create jobs in Balochistan, and strengthen trade ties with China under the CPEC framework. All operations stay inside the tax-free zone, and exports go by sea or air.
The decision has sparked discussion because donkey meat is not commonly eaten in Pakistan due to cultural and religious reasons. However, the government stresses that strict rules will keep products away from local consumption.
