KARACHI: Customs Court Judge Syed Faiz Rasool Rashdi has directed counsel for the accused persons to prepare and file comments on the next date of hearing in a case of attempting to smuggle donkey hides worth Rs 124,650,000 from Lahore to Karachi. The hides were to be smuggled to China.
According to the prosecution, local police recovered 4,986 donkey hides which were stuffed in 642 bags. The operation took place at a shop located in Gulistan-e-Jauhar, Block-12 and arrested a Chinese citizen Tu-Zhong Xiao, Syed Ehtisham Zaidi, Muhammad Faisal Bhutto, Muhammad Jumman, Zeeshan Jan, Daniyal Rahman, Afshan wife of Ehtisham and absconders accused Muhammad Bilal, Muhammad Farooq and Muhammad Rafique alias Rafi. After formalities, police handed over them to the customs department for FIR and further investigation. During the investigation, it was revealed that the hides were brought illegally from Lahore to Karachi to be smuggled to China. “There were about eight hides in one sack and one hide is sold for approximately Rs 25,000.
As per interim challan, investigation officer informed the court that China is using donkey hides to produce medicine named Ejiao, which is useful in blood-related disease. The Ejiao is obtained from donkey’s Gilatin and owing to this reasons, China has become major importer of donkey hides. “A large numbers of donkey hides are being exported to China and often illegal methods are adopted to make more profits. Due to such smuggling, Pakistan is facing shortfall in foreign exchange whereas its meat is also served to people in Islamic country.” Tu Zhong Xiao is the master mind and main culprit in this case, he makes all the dealing and also responsible for investment and sending consignment outside the country.
It may be mentioned here that accused Muhammad Bilal son of Salamat Ali, Muhammad Farooq son of Muhammad Qasim and Muhammad Rafique alias Rafi are absconders in this case and court has issued their non-bail able warrant.
