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
ADB, Pakistan sign over $300 million agreements to undertake climate resilience initiatives
- Pakistan ranks among nations most vulnerable to climate change and has seen erratic changes in weather patterns
- The projects in Sindh and Punjab will restore nature-based coastal defenses and enhance agricultural productivity
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani government and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have signed more than $300 million agreements to undertake two major climate resilience initiatives, Pakistan’s Press Information Department (PID) said on Tuesday.
The projects include the Sindh Coastal Resilience Sector Project (SCRP), valued at Rs50.5 billion ($180.5 million), and the Punjab Climate-Resilient and Low-Carbon Agriculture Mechanization Project (PCRLCAMP), totaling Rs34.7 billion ($124 million).
Pakistan ranks among nations most vulnerable to climate change and has seen erratic changes in its weather patterns. In 2022, monsoon floods killed over 1,700 people, displaced another 33 million and caused over $30 billion losses, while another 1,037 people were killed in floods this year.
The South Asian country is ramping up climate resilience efforts, with support from the ADB and World Bank, and investing in climate-resilient infrastructure, particularly in vulnerable areas.
“Both sides expressed their commitment to effectively utilize the financing for successful and timely completion of the two initiatives,” the PID said in a statement.
The Sindh Coastal Resilience Project (SCRP) will promote integrated water resources and flood risk management, restore nature-based coastal defenses, and strengthen institutional and community capacity for strategic action planning, directly benefiting over 3.8 million people in Thatta, Sujawal, and Badin districts, according to ADB.
The Punjab project will enhance agricultural productivity and climate resilience across 30 districts, improving small farmers’ access to climate-smart machinery, introducing circular agriculture practices to reduce residue burning, establishing testing and training facilities, and empowering 15,000 women through skills development and livelihood diversification.
Earlier this month, the ADB also approved $381 million in financing for Pakistan’s Punjab province to modernize agriculture and strengthen education and health services, including concessional loans and grants for farm mechanization, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education, and nursing sector reforms.
