ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad Food Authority (IFA) has recovered a large quantity of donkey meat in a surprise raid on a facility in Tarnol area, raising concerns about illegal meat distribution in the federal capital.
In the operation, the Islamabad Food Authority (IFA) raided a site in Tarnol and seized over 25 mounds (1,000kg) of donkey meat.
The team also discovered more than 50 live donkeys allegedly being kept for illegal slaughter and meat supply.
In an exclusive talk with APP on Sunday, Deputy Director Operations of the Islamabad Food Authority, Dr Tahira Siddique, confirmed that a foreign national was taken into custody on the site, while all local individuals involved managed to escape before law enforcement personnel arrived.
The arrested person was handed over to the police for further legal action.
Dr Tahira said the IFA acted swiftly after receiving a tip-off. “We received information late at night and dispatched teams immediately. Upon reaching the location, we found several live donkeys and a large quantity of meat,” she said.
According to her, the individuals behind the operation had set up a complete slaughtering and meat-processing setup, which had reportedly been functional for some time.
The initial investigation suggests that the meat was primarily being supplied to foreign nationals residing in the city, though officials have not ruled out wider distribution.
She added that the suspects were not in possession of any export permits or licenses, making the operation unlawful on multiple counts.
The IFA has initiated an inquiry to determine which areas the meat had already been supplied to, and how long the operation had been running.
Investigators are also trying to identify local partners or suppliers who may have been assisting the operation.
The meat recovered during the raid was immediately destroyed to prevent any chance of it entering the local food supply.
Dr Tahira confirmed that the entire process was documented for legal and investigative purposes. Local police registered an FIR following the raid.