ISLAMABAD – The federal government has officially lifted the ban on the export of donkey hide, a restriction that had been in place since 2015.
According to a notification from the Ministry of Commerce, the export of donkey hides will now be allowed under specific conditions. The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) had earlier imposed the ban on September 3, 2015, but the latest decision reverses that move.
Recent figures show a steady rise in the donkey population across Pakistan. The Bureau of Statistics reported in June that the total number of donkeys has now reached 4.9 million nationwide.
The Agriculture Census revealed that Punjab has the highest population, with 2.403 million donkeys, followed by Sindh with 1.081 million, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with 782,000, and Balochistan with 630,000. Islamabad recorded 4,000 donkeys.
The report also highlighted the stark difference between provinces. Punjab has 1.773 million more donkeys than Balochistan, 1.621 million more than Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and 1.322 million more than Sindh.
The lifting of the ban comes at a time when international demand for donkey hide is growing. In China, gelatin made from donkey hides is considered beneficial for health and is widely used in powders, capsules, liquids, and food products. This practice has led to a global trade where millions of donkeys are slaughtered annually to meet the demand.
A report estimates that at least 5.9 million donkeys are killed worldwide each year for gelatin production. Animal welfare groups have expressed concern, warning that rising demand for donkey hides may affect donkey populations in developing countries.
The government’s decision is likely to spark debate, as it could create economic opportunities while also raising ethical and welfare concerns about the treatment of animals.
In other news read more about Chinese Firms Seek Official Approval to Export Donkey Meat
