Islamabad

Pakistan witnessed a sharp rise in its donkey population during the fiscal year 2023-24. It grew by 1.72 per cent, taking the tally to 5.9 million, according to the latest official data on the livestock in the country.

Advertisment

The Pakistan Economic Survey (PES) 2023-24, which was launched on Tuesday (June 11), showed that the donkey population in the country was rising.

The survey lists the country's key economic achievements in the outgoing fiscal year.

According to the data, the population of donkeys in 2019-2020 was 5.5 million, which increased to 5.6 million in 2020-21, 5.7 million in 2021-22, and 5.8 million in 2022-23, whereas in 2023-24 it rose to 5.9 million.

Advertisment

However, the number of horses and mules saw no significant change in their numbers in the last five years, as it remained at 0.4 million and 0.2 million, respectively.

Also read: Pakistan was secretive about fighter jet JF-17 crash, but ejection seat maker firm made it public

The survey unveiled by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb demonstrated details of other livestock as well.

Advertisment

It showed that the cattle population increased to 57.5 million, buffalo spiked to 46.3 million, sheep to 32.7 million, and goats to 87 million.

The number of camels, which remained stagnant for almost four years, witnessed an increase to 1.2 million from 1.1 million which was recorded during the past fiscal year.

Pakistan has been reeling under a severe economic crisis. Most of the sectors in the dwindling economy are impacted because of the crisis, but amid the worsening situation, the livestock sector has emerged as the largest contributor to the agriculture sector. 

Data revealed that the livestock sector accounts for approximately 60.84 per cent of the agricultural sector and 14.63 per cent of the national GDP. It showed that during fiscal year 2023-24, it grew by 3.89 per cent as compared to 3.70 per cent last year.

(With inputs from agencies)