The donkey population in Pakistan is largest in Punjab, according to the latest report from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). Sindh comes in second, followed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) in third place.
Balochistan records the smallest number of donkeys among all provinces, highlighting a contrast in donkey population in Pakistan, while Islamabad has the lowest count in the country.
The report reveals that Punjab’s donkey population has now reached 2.403 million. This makes it the province with the largest number of donkeys, far ahead of other regions.
Sindh ranks second with 1.081 million donkeys in Pakistan’s donkey population. KP takes the third spot with 782,000. Both provinces, while far behind Punjab, still account for a significant share of the national total.
Balochistan’s donkey count stands at 630,000, the lowest among the four provinces. Meanwhile, Islamabad has recorded just 4,000 donkeys, the smallest number in the entire country.
The PBS data highlights a sharp difference in donkey populations between provinces, showcasing the significant numbers in Pakistan’s donkey population overall. Punjab alone accounts for more than double the combined total of Sindh and KP.
Read More: Do you know what’s on your dish? Beef, Mutton, or Donkey meat? Learn the difference
Recently, two Chinese companies have formally applied for licenses to export donkey meat and bones from Pakistan. This marks a potentially new avenue for foreign exchange earnings.
According to food department officials familiar with Pakistan’s donkey population, the companies have submitted requests for slaughterhouse and export licenses. A full investigation into their applications is currently underway.
Officials confirmed that if all regulatory requirements are met, exports will be allowed from Gwadar, Balochistan. They also provided clear instructions that meat production and processing will be restricted to this region only.
“The meat and bones will be transported through Gwadar to China. This could generate significant foreign exchange for Pakistan and reflects the importance of the donkey population in Pakistan,” a food ministry representative stated as published in Geo News.
