In a shocking revelation, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has put the brakes on fresh meat imports from Pakistan via sea routes. The drastic move comes after disturbing reports from ARY News exposed the presence of fungus on meat dispatched from Karachi to the UAE shores. And with a whopping value of USD 12 million riding on monthly shipments, this spells potential trade chaos between the two nations.

The fallout and implications of the fungus discovery

It’s not just about a temporary meat ban; it’s a monumental blow to Pakistan’s meat trade. The UAE’s decision to hold off on meat imports from the South Asian country will be enforced till October 10. Given that a significant chunk of Pakistan’s meat finds its way to not just the UAE, but also to other Gulf nations like Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, this fungus fiasco could have broader ramifications.

A troubled history: Pakistan’s meat export saga

This isn’t Pakistan’s first brush with export hurdles. The meat industry has witnessed its fair share of setbacks. It was only in 2017, after a grueling eight-year restriction period, that Pakistan managed to resume exports of chickens and poultry products. With this fresh blow on meat exports, the country’s reputation in the international meat market might hang in the balance.

  Karachi, Pakistan, UAE