In a startling discovery that has raised serious concerns about food safety and illegal meat trade in the capital, authorities in Islamabad seized a massive quantity of donkey meat from a farmhouse located in the Tarnol area.
The Islamabad Food Authority (IFA), acting on a tip-off received by the Assistant Food Safety Officer (AFSO) team, first raided a cafe where they recovered approximately 25 maunds (1,000 kg) of donkey meat. The operation then extended to a nearby farmhouse in the Tarnol area, where authorities discovered over 50 live donkeys, believed to be awaiting slaughter. The coordinated raid, conducted on Sunday, July 27, 2025, involved the IFA, Islamabad Police, and district administration, and has since prompted a city-wide investigation into potential links between illegal slaughter operations and food businesses in the capital.
One foreign national was arrested on the scene, reportedly overseeing the operation, while local accomplices managed to flee before police could detain them. The individual in custody has been handed over to law enforcement, and a First Information Report (FIR) has been registered under Sections 11, 12, 13, and 14 of the Islamabad Capital Territory Food Safety Act, 2021. These sections relate to violations such as the sale of unregistered and unsafe food, misleading labelling, and unhygienic conditions within food businesses.
Meat Samples Sent For Testing; Cafes, Supply Chains Under Scrutiny
Dr. Tahira Siddique, Deputy Director of the Islamabad Food Authority, confirmed the details of the raid and stated that all confiscated meat was immediately destroyed on site to prevent any risk of it entering the local food supply. “We are enforcing a zero‑tolerance policy against those who endanger public health.“ she emphasized during a media briefing following the operation.
Authorities also dispatched meat samples to laboratories for forensic and quality testing. The IFA has formed a three-member investigative committee to trace the origins of the meat, identify its intended markets, and determine the full extent of the network involved in this operation. Preliminary findings suggest the meat was packaged for export, potentially to neighboring countries. However, officials have not ruled out local distribution, and there is growing suspicion that some of the meat may have been supplied to well-known restaurants and cafes within Islamabad. While no specific names have been publicly confirmed, investigators are currently reviewing food supply chains to determine if any reputable eateries unknowingly received the illicit meat.
Adding to the gravity of the issue is the growing concern that this operation could be just one part of a larger, organized illegal meat trade network. Officials noted the presence of cold storage, commercial-scale processing equipment, and meat packing materials that resembled those used for bulk export. These indicators have prompted further investigations into whether the network extends beyond Islamabad.
In a broader context, concerns about food authenticity and consumer safety are mounting. Food authorities have long warned about the dangers posed by unregulated slaughterhouses and the potential for contaminated or mislabeled meat to enter public circulation. This case has become a flashpoint, underlining the urgent need for tighter enforcement of licensing laws, rigorous inspection of meat suppliers, and public awareness about safe meat sourcing.
The Islamabad district administration has confirmed that it will pursue further action based on digital and physical evidence collected during the raid. This includes checking phone records, transport logs, and surveillance footage to identify all individuals connected to the operation. Authorities are also reviewing restaurant and vendor supply chains to determine whether any local businesses inadvertently received donkey meat.
As the investigation continues, the IFA has issued a public advisory encouraging citizens to purchase meat only from certified vendors and to report any suspicious activity involving meat products. Meanwhile, officials stress that more raids are likely in the coming days as efforts continue to dismantle the broader network behind this illegal enterprise.
This is a developing story.
Sources: DAWN News, Arab News, and Daily Times.
