RECENT reports suggest donkey meat was being clandestinely processed and potentially introduced into the human food chain within the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT). While the prompt intervention by the Islamabad Food Authority is commendable, the very occurrence of such an act within the ICT jurisdiction reflects a gross failure of the regulatory vigilance and enforcement mechanism.

Let us not mince words; this is not merely an incident of illegal slaughter or commercial deception. It constitutes a deliberate endangerment of public health, a fraud upon unsuspecting consumers, and a serious breach of the statutory and regulatory framework governing food safety and hygiene.

It is imperative that those responsible are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, and are not allowed to exploit procedural delays or institutional ineffi- ciencies within the justice system.

This incident is not an isolated act, but a symptom of deep-rooted institutional apathy and a disconnect between policy formulation and regulatory enforcement. The unwitting public is being exposed to severe health risks, including the transmission of zoonotic diseases that could spread rapidly if such meat is consumed without detection.

The criminal insertion of donkey meat into the human food chain is criminal negligence, and may lead to charges of culpable homicide owing to potentially harmful consequences. It is an act of sheer recklessness that undermines the very essence of food safety governance. Continued silence and inaction on the part of competent authorities amount to tacit complicity, which must be called out and addressed without fear or favour.

The relevant federal and provincial departments should take coordinated legal action immediately. The public has a legitimate expectation of due accounta-bility and the protection of their rights.

Riaz Ali Panhwar
Hyderabad

Published in Dawn, August 16th, 2025