PESHAWAR: Pakistan is poised to sign a $2 billion deal with China to set up donkey farms in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province and export the animals to the neighboring country, a representative at the provincial livestock department said on Monday.
China is Pakistan’s closest ally and the two countries are partners in a $60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor of energy and infrastructure projects, which Beijing touts as the flagship infrastructure program in its vast Belt and Road Initiative.
Sher Muhammad, the director general of the provincial livestock department, said a deal would be signed with a government-owned company from Kashgar after the Chinese New Year (February 5, 2019) whereby China would set up donkey farms in Pakistan and export donkeys.
This idea of investing in donkeys was floated by the previous chief minister of the province, Pervaiz Khattak, during the Beijing Road Show in April 2017.
Under the deal, donkey farms will be established in Mansehra, Dera Ismail Khan and the provincial capital of Peshawar.
“Donkeys die on the sea path and luckily, the Chinese border touches the northern [Khyber Pakhtunkhwa] province and is good for road export,” Muhammad said.
Muhamad said the livestock department and Brooke Hospital for Animals, a non–profit, had conducted surveys to determine that the livelihood of at least 70,000 families was attached to the province’s 0.5 million donkeys used in farming, brick kilns, construction and transportation.
Only in Beijing city alone, 500 restaurants serve donkey meat, the director said. The Chinese are interested in donkeys not just for food consumption but also to use its meat, bones, skin and other parts in cosmetics, medicines and other decoration pieces and its milk in shampoos and beauty soaps.
Muhammad said the government would export only 80,000 tagged animals annually under strict supervision to control smuggling and would start a “parallel process of artificial insemination” so that local donkey populations on which Pakistanis are dependent did not dwindle.
Pakistan aims to cash in on ‘donkey business’ with China
Pakistan aims to cash in on ‘donkey business’ with China
- Chinese firm will invest $2 billion in donkey farms and export
- Deal to be signed after Chinese New Year
US envoy, military officials attend Pakistan-US counterterrorism exercise
- Exercise Inspired Gambit-2026 marks 13th round of Pakistan-US counterterrorism training
- US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker observed the drills with senior American military officials
ISLAMABAD: The top US diplomat in Pakistan, accompanied by senior American military officials, on Thursday observed joint counterterrorism drills conducted by Pakistani and US troops aimed at improving how the two forces operate together, Pakistan’s military said.
The drills are part of Exercise Inspired Gambit–2026 that is being held from Jan. 8 to Jan. 16 at the National Counter Terrorism Center in Pabbi, situated in the Punjab province, marking the 13th iteration of the bilateral training series since it began in 1995.
“Distinguished Visitors’ Day ceremony was held on 15 January 2026 at the National Counter Terrorism Center, Pabbi,” the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said in a statement. “Her Excellency Ms. Natalie Baker, Chargé d’Affaires of the United States of America to Pakistan, accompanied by senior US military dignitaries, and Commander Rawalpindi Corps graced the occasion.”
“The visitors were briefed on the scope, objectives, and conduct of the exercise,” it added. “A high level of professionalism and competence was demonstrated by participants of both armies, which was appreciated by the visiting dignitaries.”
Pakistan and the United States have maintained close defense and security ties for decades, working together during the Cold War era, especially after the 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.
The relationship continued following the US-led intervention in Afghanistan after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, though cooperation became strained at times due to policy differences.
ISPR said the exercise was meant to enhance bilateral military cooperation through the exchange of counterterrorism experience, refinement of drills and procedures and the development of interoperability.
