KARACHI: After relying on estimates for more than 14 years, Pakistan is going to carry out a census of its livestock this year, officials have confirmed.
Pakistan’s economy significantly relies on agricultural production, which in the previous fiscal year contributed 19 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), according to the finance ministry’s Economic Survey 2020-21. Livestock is its largest subsector having a 60 percent share in agriculture value addition.
More than 8 million rural families are engaged in livestock production and derive some 35-40 percent of their income from it. Gross value addition of livestock was Rs1.5 trillion in the fiscal year 2020-21.
Despite this huge contribution, no livestock census has been carried out since 2006.
“Pakistan Statistic Bureau has plans to conduct integrated census for Agriculture and Livestock during financial year 2021-22,” the Ministry of National Food Security and Research (MNFSR) has told Arab News.
While the Economic Survey 2020-21 recorded 51.5 million cattle, 42.4 million buffaloes, 80.3 million goats, 5.6 million donkeys, 400,000 horses and 200,000 mules, the figures are estimates based on the 1996-2006 inter-census growth rate which, experts argue, does not represent the country’s actual animal population growth.
“No census has been conducted after 2006 but the estimates are being made while sitting in offices. That has no value,” Talat Naseer Pasha, vice chancellor of the University of Education, a public research university in Lahore, told Arab News.
For Dr. Jasir Aftab, a veterinary and husbandry analyst, policy making in the absence of actual data may be inaccurate and does not allow the sector to realize its growth and export potential.
“Due to lack of actual data the policy making and allocations for the animal related project could not be made properly,” he said. “That is why the country still could not harness the full potential of the country’s livestock.”
After 14-year gap, Pakistan plans census of livestock population
https://arab.news/2ag7e
After 14-year gap, Pakistan plans census of livestock population
- Livestock production is largest subsector of Pakistan’s agriculture, contributes over 11 percent to GDP
- Lack of data, experts say, does not allow the sector to realize its growth and export potential
UK announces ‘major reset’ of Pakistan development partnership with new trade, climate, education initiatives
- UK commits to increased investment-led cooperation in climate, business regulation and higher education
- London shifts from aid donor to investment-focused partner as bilateral trade crosses $7.3 billion
ISLAMABAD: The United Kingdom on Wednesday unveiled what it called a “major reset” in its development partnership with Pakistan, announcing new investment-focused cooperation, education programs and a bilateral climate compact during a visit by UK Minister for Development Jennifer Chapman.
The trip marks the first federal-level development dialogue between the two governments in eight years and reflects London’s shift from a traditional aid-donor role toward investment-based partnerships. The British government said the new approach aims to use UK expertise to help partner economies build capacity and unlock domestic growth.
Pakistan-UK trade has also reached a record high, crossing £5.5 billion ($7.3 billion) for the first time, with more than 200 British firms now active in Pakistan, an increase London says signals growing two-way commercial confidence.
“Pakistan is a crucial partner for the UK. We work together to tackle the drivers behind organized crime and illegal migration, keeping both our countries safer,” Chapman was quoted as saying in a statement by the British High Commission in Islamabad.
“Our strong bilateral trading relationship brings jobs and growth to us both. And we’re working together to tackle climate change, a global threat.”
The minister and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday jointly launched a package of business regulatory reforms aimed at improving Pakistan’s investment climate and making it easier for UK firms to operate. Officials said the initiative supports Pakistan’s economic recovery agenda and creates new commercial avenues for British companies.
A second key announcement was the next phase of the Pak-UK Education Gateway, developed with the British Council and Pakistan’s Higher Education Commission. The expanded program will enable joint research between universities in both countries, support climate- and technology-focused academic collaboration, and introduce a startup fund to help commercialize research. The Gateway will also promote UK university courses delivered inside Pakistan, giving students access to British degrees without traveling abroad.
Accompanied by Pakistan’s Minister for Climate Change Dr. Musadik Malik, Chapman also launched a Green Compact, a framework for climate cooperation, green investment, environmental protection and joint work at global climate forums.
The UK emphasized it remains one of Pakistan’s largest development partners, citing ongoing work in education, health, climate resilience and anti-trafficking capacity building.
During the visit to Pakistan, Chapman will meet communities benefiting from UK-supported climate programs, which London says helped 2.5 million Pakistanis adapt to climate impacts in the past year, and observe training of airport officers working to prevent human trafficking.
“We remain firm friends of Pakistan, including in times of crisis, as shown through our floods response,” Chapman said. “And we know to accelerate growth in both our countries, we must work together in partnership to tackle the problems we face.”
