KARACHI: Customs Taxation and Anti-Smuggling Court Judge Syed Faiz Rasool Rashdi has sent seven accused to Central Jail Karachi on judicial remand who were arrested for attempting to smuggle donkey hides to China. The hides, worth Rs 118.4 million, were brought to Karachi from Lahore.
During the hearing, investigation officer produced a Chinese citizen Tu-Zhong Xiao son of Tu Shao, Syed Ehtisham Zaidi son of Syed Shamim Ahmed Zaidi, Muhammad Faisal Bhutto son of Muhammad Ibrahim, Muhammad Jumman son of Ameer Ali, Zeeshan Jan son of Patrus, Daniyal Rahman son of Muhammad Shakeel, Afshan wife of Ehtisham before the court and informed that local police recovered as many as 4,736 donkey hides which were packed in 592 sacks. The operation took place at a shop located in Gulistan-e-Jauhar, Block-12 and handed over them to customs department for FIR and further investigation.
He added that it was revealed that the hides were brought illegally from Lahore to smuggle the same to China. “There were about eight hides in one sack and one hide is sold for approximately Rs 25, 000,” he told the court.
He mentioned 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 export 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.”
He said that 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.
He further informed the court that prosecution completed investigation from arrested accused persons therefore court may send them to judicial remand. After his arguments, court sent them to jail and directed the jail authorities to produce them on next date of hearing before the court.
