Punjab tops list in donkey population, Balochistan records lowest

The 7th Agricultural Census 2024 report has revealed the provincial breakdown of Pakistan’s donkey population, with Punjab topping the list, followed by Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while Balochistan recorded the lowest numbers.

According to the report, Punjab has 2.403 million donkeys, Sindh has 1.081 million, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has 0.782 million, and Balochistan has 0.630 million. The federal capital, Islamabad, recorded 4,000 donkeys.

The census further highlights that Punjab’s donkey population is 1.773 million higher than Balochistan’s, 1.621 million more than Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s, and 1.322 million above Sindh’s.

Overall, the 2024 Agriculture Census shows Pakistan’s total donkey population has now reached 4.9 million.

Read: Islamabad food authority seizes donkey meat in huge quantity in Tarnol raid

In a development that could open a new avenue for Pakistan's exports, two Chinese companies have formally applied for licences to export donkey meat and byproducts from Pakistan to China. 

According to officials at the Ministry of National Food Security & Research, the applications include requests for both slaughterhouse operations and export clearance. If approved, it would mark the first time Pakistan has established a regulated supply chain for the export of donkey meat and bones.

The ministry confirmed that the applications are undergoing thorough review, with special attention to regulatory compliance and oversight mechanisms, Once regulatory requirements are met, the companies could be authorised to export donkey meat and byproducts to China, per sources.