KARACHI: A unique donkey cart race, organized by the administration of Pakistan’s southern Karachi port city to promote the traditional regional sport, elicited an enthusiastic response on Sunday, with over 40 participants vying for the title.
Donkey cart races have been a staple in the cultural landscape of various regions in Pakistan, particularly in rural areas where they are often featured as part of local festivals or special events.
The sport not only embodies a tradition with significant social and entertainment value for these communities but also underscores the reliance on livestock, with donkeys predominantly used for logistical and transportation purposes.
Part of the Commissioner Karachi Sports Festival, the race brought together most participants from the impoverished Lyari neighborhood of the city and was described by the organizers as part of the effort to promote “positive activities” among youth.
“I earn for my children, and I earn for it [donkey] and it earns for me in return,” Abdul Qadir, who won the race, said gleefully. “I earn my living for my children through it [donkey cart] and feed it [the donkey] like I feed my own kids and I look after it, that’s why I got this prize today.”
Another participant, Shahjahan, who stood third in the competition, said he had been driving donkey carts for the past 25 years.
“I have taken part in over 20-25 races and won first, second and third prizes,” he said with the touch of pride. “God has given me respect. Even though I am a laborer by profession, I drive a donkey cart, but by the grace of god I am able to educate my children.”
The race that began from Karachi’s ICI Bridge and ended at the commissioner’s office on Club Road what attended by Mayor Murtaza Wahab as chief guest.
He described the event as part of the city’s “ancient culture and heritage” while appreciating the love of its residents for sports.
The ongoing sports festival in the city also includes a hockey tournament, girls’ basketball tournament, cycle race and shooting ball competition.
Karachi hosts vibrant donkey cart race to revive traditional sport, engage youth in ‘positive activities’
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Karachi hosts vibrant donkey cart race to revive traditional sport, engage youth in ‘positive activities’
- Donkey cart races have been a cultural staple in various regions of Pakistan, particularly in rural environments
- Part of a larger festival, the race witnessed maximum participation from the impoverished Lyari neighborhood
Pakistan refineries urge regulator to curb fuel imports, citing supply chain risks
- Industry cites rules requiring priority use of locally refined fuel
- Dispute highlights pressure on Pakistan’s energy security and refinery viability
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s major oil refineries this week jointly urged the country’s energy regulator to step in and limit fuel imports, warning that excessive reliance on overseas supplies is undermining domestic refining operations and threatening the stability of the national oil supply chain.
In a letter sent to the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), the chief executives of Attock Refinery Limited, Pakistan Refinery Limited, National Refinery Limited, Pak-Arab Refinery Limited and Cnergyico PK said current regulatory decisions were allowing imported petroleum products to displace locally refined fuel, despite rules requiring domestic output to be prioritized.
OGRA is Pakistan’s federal regulator responsible for overseeing oil and gas markets, including licensing, pricing frameworks and supply planning. The dispute comes as Pakistan, which imports most of its crude oil and refined fuel, seeks to balance energy security concerns with cost pressures and foreign exchange constraints.
“As clearly stipulated in Rule 35(g) of the Pakistan Oil (Refining, Blending, Transportation, Storage, and Marketing) Rules, 2016, the upliftment of locally produced refinery products must be prioritized before any imports are considered,” the refineries wrote in a letter dated Dec. 10. “Unfortunately, the excessive imports allowed by OGRA have worsened the situation on ground.”
Rule 35(g) requires that fuel produced by Pakistan’s refineries be taken up by oil marketing companies before additional imports are approved, a provision designed to protect local refining capacity and ensure steady utilization of plants that are critical to national supply.
The refineries warned that continued preference for imports could disrupt operations, reduce refinery utilization rates and weaken Pakistan’s ability to respond to supply shocks, particularly for products such as aviation fuel and diesel. They called on OGRA to take “urgent and proactive intervention” to ensure timely off-take of locally produced fuel.
Pakistan’s refining sector has long struggled with aging infrastructure, limited upgrading and thin margins, while imports are often seen as cheaper or more flexible in the short term. However, industry officials argue that over-reliance on imports increases exposure to global price volatility, shipping disruptions and foreign exchange pressure.
The letter was also copied to the federal minister for energy, the secretary of the petroleum division and the director general of oil, indicating the issue has been escalated beyond the regulator to senior policymakers.
Energy analysts say the dispute underscores broader tensions in Pakistan’s energy market, where policy decisions must balance consumer prices, refinery survival and long-term energy security. Any regulatory shift could affect fuel availability, refinery investment plans and the country’s import bill at a time when Pakistan remains under economic strain.
OGRA has not yet commented on the letter.
