Islamabad, October 3 — The Government of Pakistan has officially lifted the ban on the export of donkey hides, but with a new restriction that shipments will be routed exclusively through Gwadar port.
According to a notification issued by the Ministry of Commerce, the step has been taken to regulate the trade more effectively and ensure proper monitoring of the export process. Officials said the decision aims to boost revenue while also maintaining transparency in an industry often criticized for illegal smuggling and unregulated transactions.
Sources revealed that exporters will now be required to obtain special permits and clearance certificates before dispatching consignments. The centralization of trade through Gwadar is expected to provide both tighter security and streamlined oversight.
Pakistan had previously imposed a blanket ban on donkey hide exports due to rising concerns about animal smuggling and the misuse of hides in international black markets, particularly in the production of certain traditional medicines abroad.
Industry insiders believe that the new policy may generate foreign exchange but stress the need for strict welfare regulations to prevent mass slaughter and illegal trade of donkeys.
So far, no detailed guidelines have been released regarding quotas or maximum export limits, but the ministry has indicated further clarifications will follow in the coming weeks.
