ISLAMABAD - Pakistan Model Customs Collectorate of Exports has asked Federal Revenue Board (FBR) for imposing ban on export of donkey hides. In a letter addressed to FBR, the Customs Collectorate revealed that 83,475 donkey hides have been exported in one and half year.
The letter available with The Nation says the collectorate has observed an alarming trend in export of donkey hides to only one destination – China. There is no restriction in Export Policy Order notified vide SRO 192(1)2013 dated 08.03.2013 on export of donkey hides.
The letter further says that from January 2014 onward nearly 83,475 pieces of donkey hides have been exported from this collectorate only. “The number may get further alarming if data of other collectorates to be taken into account. Besides, the quarantine certificates issued by quarantine authorities have 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.
A senior official of custom informed this scribe requesting anonymity that the export tendency of donkey hides grown at the end of 2013. He pointed out that China and Hong Kong were the huge markets for the exporters of donkey hides and price of one piece was around Rs25,000. He said that 98 per cent hides used to be exported from Punjab by sea. He mentioned the two cities of Punjab - Lahore and Kasur - had remained open markets of donkey hides where the exporters bought one donkey hide in Rs5,000 to 8,000 and sold for Rs25,000 to 27,000 in specific countries’ market.
He said more than 84,000 donkey hides were exported only through Port Qasim but it was possible that around half a million donkey hides had been exported from Karachi port in one year, which was very alarming state.
Documents available with The Nation revealed that a Lahore-based exporter Irshad Tanning Works exported more than 10,000 donkey hides to Hong Kong through Port Qasim in three to four months. The Nation tried to contact Irshad Tanning Works for its official version several times but there was no response till filing of the story.