Govt approves controlled export of donkey hides after 8-year ban

The federal government has lifted the longstanding ban on donkey hide exports by amending the Ministry of Commerce’s Export Policy Order, as reported by national media on Friday. 

The ban, first imposed in 2015 by the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC), was introduced to curb the illegal sale of donkey meat being passed off as beef or mutton in several cities.

Under the revised policy, exports will be restricted to firms operating in designated, approved, or registered donkey slaughterhouses located exclusively in the Gwadar Free Zone. The notification explicitly removes the earlier prohibition from the Export Policy Order.

The decision follows updates presented to the Senate Standing Committee on Commerce last July, when officials confirmed that protocols for exporting donkey skins and meat to China had been finalized. Agreements were also reported for the export of onions, potatoes, and chillies.

While the new policy may open doors for trade, it has also reignited concerns over animal welfare. A consultative workshop in August highlighted the global scale of the donkey skin trade, noting that of the world’s 55.5 million donkeys, around 6 million are slaughtered annually for their hides.