Indian reports on ‘beef masala’ quashed

E-Paper | June 06, 2026

ISLAMABAD: Following media reports that Pakistan had offended the Nepalese by sending beef in food packets, the Foreign Office clarified on Thursday that the population of Nepal was “mostly Hindu, not Buddhist” and that Indian media reports on the subject had been exaggerated.

“We have been in contact with Nepalese authorities. We have been informed that they have no issues with the food packets from Pakistan. On the contrary, the Nepalese authorities requested another planeload of the food packets supplied by Pakistan,” FO Spokesperson Tasnim Aslam told Dawn on Thursday.

The controversy surfaced when Indian doctors at a Kathmandu hospital pointed out that packets of ‘beef masala’ were sent by Pakistan as part of relief aid to quake survivors.

Published in Dawn, May 1st, 2015

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Pakistan

Baqir Sajjad Syed is the Foreign Affairs and National Security Correspondent for Dawn. His career of over 25 years spans print and broadcast journalism. He is a former UN Reham al-Farah Fellow and held a Pakistan Fellowship at the Woodrow Wilson Centre in Washington, DC. He tweets @baqirsajjad

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hyat

May 01, 2015 10:05am

beef masala or chicken masala all are food item.

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SpringIshere

May 01, 2015 10:06am

I think this is new low for Indian media. For once Pakistan is doing something good and it should be appreciated. From - An Indian

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Sanjoy Sankar Guha

May 01, 2015 10:13am

From what I have heard some Nepalese (though Hindu) eat beef. This of course may or may not be relevant to the issue. Now Pakistan was only trying to help Nepal by sending them food packets. Even if some did contain beef, it must have been through error and not through ill intent. This is a needless controversy. When will we be discussing the real issues ?

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Khan

May 01, 2015 10:36am

They need aid of their choice. Indians have always problem with anything.

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CYRUS

May 01, 2015 10:37am

In which case you just don't eat it, and give it to some other hungry person who wants it.

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Vinay Kapoor

May 01, 2015 10:43am

Sorry pakistan..this time we made a mess.

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Prashant

May 01, 2015 11:40am

@Vinay Kapoor Why we? It's Nepali who are complaining. Their foreign ministry is investigating.

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Factual

May 01, 2015 11:53am

@Prashant Nepalese are not complaining, they are asking for more food packets. Storm is created in Indian media on the opinion of Indian doctors. Why Indian doctors were eating food packets we sent for earthquake victims by the way?

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Sunil

May 01, 2015 11:56am

@SpringIshere Good in a bad way? Intentions must be positive, if you are helping, otherwise dont.

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Sunil

May 01, 2015 12:00pm

@Vinay Kapoor Its the Pakistan authorities working in Nepal, have expressed "Sorry" and stated it must have happened out of confusion.

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Vinay Kapoor

May 01, 2015 12:18pm

Whatever it is, this was not called for at such a time when every drop of water and even a single grain means a world for them out there.

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romario

May 01, 2015 12:26pm

Pakistan should see the sensitivities of the country they are helping and act sensibly.

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Hina

May 01, 2015 01:05pm

Wrong is Wrong. If same incident has happened with pakistan than ???? All Pakistani will be on protesting mood. Its not fair enough.

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Sajjad

May 01, 2015 01:36pm

well whatever, this must not effect the relief work. This is a wastage of energy if certain parts of society are giving air time to a non-issue. The same energy should be used in Aid work. Nepal needs help, Please.

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Pakistani

May 01, 2015 04:20pm

@SpringIshere. No we have over the years always tried to help other countries cope with the natural disaster according to our limit. But because of this negative reporting by Indian media it shows Pakistan is helping in Nepal.

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ahsan7979

May 01, 2015 06:02pm

Did anyone read they said no issues with the food packets?

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Danish

May 01, 2015 06:33pm

Its all superstition. Billions of people eat beef, and they are fine. Billions of people eat pork, and they are fine. Had people catered to logic and reason, there would be no issue.

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Sarwat

May 01, 2015 07:22pm

India and Pakistan need to feed people, they are hungry and dying, stop bickering and get to work.

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RealHuman

May 01, 2015 07:22pm

Packets written with "Beef Masala" were found to be from Pakistan. "Beef is banned and eating beef is subjected to 12 years Prison in Nepal by Nepalese Law". Does that ring a bell when you say - "Nepalese authorities requested another planeload of the food packets supplied by Pakistan" to Pakistanis on Majority Pakistani Audience... ? Who are you trying to fool..?

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RealHuman

May 01, 2015 07:58pm

@Danish Your comments show how much you really care about other people.

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Amir Khan

May 01, 2015 10:22pm

@SpringIshere fyi Pakistan has been doing a lot of good and its not the first time. UN peace keeping missions is one of the big ones.

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Amir Khan

May 01, 2015 10:25pm

@Hina FYI if it is a matter of life and death a Muslim is even allowed to eat pork in order to save his/her life.