In the name of assisting Pakistan, its forever ‘ally’, China, has now set its eyes on the country’s cattle. China has shown interest in Pakistan’s donkeys and dogs, and wants to import them soon, and the export was discussed in the parliamentary briefing between the officials of the Ministry of Commerce of Pakistan and the senate standing committee. The committee officials have said that the country is suffering from an economic crisis and it is trying to come over it.
Members of Parliament, Abdul Qadir and Dinesh Kumar said that China is the major exporter of dogs and donkeys, and wants to import them from Pakistan. Senator Qadir further stated that a Chinese ambassador said that in China, their production is not happening as per the demand. Therefore, the ministers also suggested China that dogs and donkeys are cheaper in Afghanistan than Pakistan, that is why Pakistan can import them from there and then export them to China.
Currently, due to the spread of the lumpy virus disease in Afghanistan, import of cattle has been prohibited for some time. Experts have said that China is showing keen interest in donkeys because donkey skin is used to make traditional Chinese medicines. It is being said that if Pakistan accepts China’s demand, then a good breed of donkeys can be produced in the country. In Pakistan, there are found 3 major breeds of donkeys, Lassi, American, and the indigenous breed.
On the other hand, some locals are speaking against the proposed export, who have also said that donkey meat was being served in some restaurants in Sindh and Punjab provinces. In Sindh’s Korangi, 800 skins of dogs and donkeys were found, after which 2 suspects were interrogated and it was revealed by them that they had supplied donkey meat in some restaurants at Karachi.
