KARACHI: More than Rs 8 billion worth donkey-hides exported to three different countries from Pakistan since January 2014 till its ban in the recent pass by the ECC, it is learnt.
The official sources told Customs Today that these figures included the export clearance from Model Customs Collectorate Exports, Customs House and the Model Customs Collectorate Port Muhammad Bin Qasim with 40 and 60 percents, respectively.
The major markets for Pakistan’s donkey-hides are China, Hong Kong and Vietnam that did business of Rs 8 billion with the exporters. And, after scandals like donkey-meat was sold out to Pakistani markets that authorities were left with no option just to impose ban on the export of donkey-hides, sources disclosed.
Sources said that MCC Exports had asked the FBR to ban export of donkey hides, adding that 83,475 donkey hides had been exported in one and half year i.e. January 2014 till its ban.
There is no restriction in Export Policy Order notified vide SRO 192(1)2013 dated 08.03.2013 on export of donkey hides.
According to sources, from January 2014 onward nearly 83,475 hides of donkey exported from Pakistan. “The number may get further alarming if data of other collectorates to be taken into account. Besides, the quarantine certificates issued by quarantine authorities not mentioned the casings have been appropriately disposed of,” it added. Since breeding farms of donkeys are not available in the country, the current trend, if remained unabated, may endanger the population of donkeys in country. It is, therefore, proposed that the Board may take up the matter with the Ministry of National Food Security and Research for its information and take appropriate action at its end. Interestingly, sources claimed that the reason behind the ban on donkey-hides export was just because as there were reports that the flesh of donkey was sold out to open markets that was also reported by various news channels.
