ISLAMABAD; The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has formally initiated an investigation into the recent wave of viral social media posts alleging the sale of donkey meat to popular restaurants in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
This action was taken on the directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif following widespread public concern and reputational damage to food businesses.
The controversy gained traction after social media users shared a list of restaurants that were allegedly supplied with donkey meat—an illegal and unhygienic product under Pakistani food regulations. Among the names circulating online were some of the most frequented eateries in the twin cities, including:
- Monal Rawalpindi
- Malang Jan Bannu Beef Pulao (Peshawar Road/Tarnol)
- Janan Foods
- Kabul Restaurant (Islamabad/Rawalpindi)
- Ox & Grill Steakhouse (All branches)
- Papasallis
- American Steakhouse
- Bannu Beef Pulao (Islamabad/Rawalpindi)
- Texas Steakhouse
- Bull Steakhouse
- Chicago Steakhouse
- Fire N Steakhouse
- Florida Steakhouse
Concerns escalated further after the recovery of donkey meat during a raid in the Tarnol area of Islamabad earlier this week. According to local administration sources, the meat was recovered from a hidden storage facility where it was allegedly being prepared for illegal export.
While officials have not yet linked the recovered meat to any specific restaurant, the incident added weight to the claims circulating online and intensified demands for a broader crackdown.
FIA officials confirmed to MNN that more than 365 social media accounts have been identified for potential legal action.
These accounts are accused of spreading unverified and sensational content that may fall under violations of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA). The agency emphasized that while food safety violations must be taken seriously, misinformation also poses a significant threat and cannot be overlooked.
