ISLAMABAD, Jul 28 (APP):The Director of the Islamabad Food Authority (IFA), Irfan Nawaz Memon on Monday confirmed that a major operation led to the recovery of donkey meat in the federal capital and launched a citywide inspection to trace the source and potential buyers.

According to Memon, IFA teams had received intelligence over a week ago about the possible sale and distribution of donkey meat in Islamabad. The information was kept confidential while teams conducted discreet monitoring to catch those involved.

He said that the IFA officials carried out surveillance for several days and eventually raided a location where they found one thousand kilograms of processed meat and 40 live donkeys. A foreign national working as a butcher and a guard present on the spot were detained by authorities. The case is now under detailed investigation.

According to Memon, preliminary findings indicate that the slaughter of donkeys and processing of their meat had been going on for at least two weeks. However, the exact number of donkeys previously slaughtered and the destinations of the distributed meat are still being investigated. He said there are unconfirmed reports that the meat may have been supplied to foreign nationals living in the city. There are also suspicions that some of the meat was sent outside Islamabad.

“No conclusive evidence has been found so far regarding where exactly the meat was supplied,” Memon stated. “We are working in coordination with the police, who are looking into every possible aspect of the case.”

The IFA Director added that surprise inspections of food outlets and restaurants are regularly conducted in the capital to check food quality. “In the last two years, we did not receive any similar complaint in Islamabad,” he said. “We even conduct visits during the night without prior notice to ensure food safety standards are met.”

The recent discovery has raised concerns among residents and authorities alike about the safety of the meat supply chain in the city. Officials have said that all restaurants and vendors will face increased inspections following this case.

Police and food authority teams are now trying to determine whether the meat was being sold openly or supplied to specific clients. Samples have been collected for laboratory testing to confirm the type and condition of the meat. Law enforcement agencies are also verifying the identities and networks of those arrested.

Investigators are looking into whether the operation was being run locally or had any outside connections. The possibility of involvement of other individuals or groups is also being considered.

The Food Authority has urged the public to report any suspicious activities related to meat supply or food hygiene. Authorities said they aim to track and dismantle the entire chain involved in the slaughter, processing, and distribution of donkey meat.

The case has not only alarmed health authorities but also raised public awareness about food safety and hygiene practices. Authorities have emphasized the need for regular checks and public cooperation in identifying unsafe food practices.

Memon concluded by saying that ensuring safe food for the public remains the top priority for the authority, and more joint operations with law enforcement agencies are planned in the coming days.