Islamabad – Pakistan’s Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) has formally approved the export of donkey meat and hides to China via Gwadar Port, marking a significant boost to bilateral trade under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) framework.
The decision was made during an ECC meeting chaired by Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb. The committee approved a summary submitted by the National Food Security and Research Division, allowing the disposal of existing inventory from the Gwadar Donkey Slaughterhouse in accordance with applicable regulations and agreed export protocols.
The facility in the Gwadar North Free Zone—a $50 million investment by Chinese company Hangeng Trading Enterprise—has the capacity to process over 200,000 donkeys annually. Officials expect to export approximately 50 containers of meat and hides each month, primarily destined for Chinese markets.
China has sustained high demand for donkey hides, which are used to produce ejiao, a traditional medicinal gelatin. Donkey meat is also imported for food products.
Prior to this approval, Pakistan had banned donkey hide exports since 2015 following reports of donkey meat being illegally sold as beef or mutton in local markets. The new policy reintroduces exports under strict conditions: shipments may only originate from approved slaughterhouses inside the Gwadar Free Zone, ensuring products do not enter Pakistan’s domestic supply chain.
During the meeting, the chief economist briefed members on recent economic indicators, noting that inflationary pressures are easing and prices of essential commodities show signs of gradual stabilization. The ECC also approved a ban on imports of goods produced through forced labour, aligning with International Labour Organisation conventions.
