ISLAMABAD: The Economic Co-ordination Council on Thursday banned the export of donkey hides in the country till all the four provincial governments devise ways to dispose of donkey meat in an appropriate manner.

The decision was taken during a ECC session presided over by Federal Minister for Finance Ishaq Dar who approved the ban.

The ban was imposed keeping in view the sale of donkey meat in the garb of beef and mutton in different cities of the country.

The ECC asked the Ministry of Food Security to convey the decision to the provincial governments, and to ensure that a proper mechanism for disposal of donkey remains was enforced as soon as possible.

The ECC also directed the ministry of finance to release funds to the trading corporation for the import of 50, 000 metric tonnes of urea.

Import of electricity from Iran also came under discussion during the meeting and the ECC decided to continue the import.

Related Donkey, horse meat seized

Police have busted numerous butchers and gangs involved in selling donkey meat in the recent past.

Related Gang selling donkey meet as beef busted

Earlier in June, Pakistan Muslim League - Quaid (PML-Q) submitted a resolution in the Punjab Assembly against the sale of donkey meat and hides.

MPA Amir Sultan Cheema submitted the resolution which demanded strict action against those responsible for running this business. The bill also called for a ban against the export of donkey meat.

Pakistan has one of the largest donkey populations, which number around nine million and are mostly used for transportation or pulling carts.