A comprehensive review of donkey (Equus asinus) industry development in Pakistan with current and future prospects

The donkey (Equus asinus) plays a pivotal role in the daily life of farmers and underpins the rural and peri-urban economy of Pakistan. Pakistan is the world's third-largest donkey-rearing country, with an estimated population of 5.4-6.0 million head. Despite their economic significance, donkeys have been neglected in research, care, welfare, and policy formulation, creating a significant knowledge gap in donkey industry development in Pakistan. This review synthesizes national livestock data (1976- 2025), equid population comparisons, geographic distribution, and field-based reports. According to the Pakistan Economic Survey, the national donkey population grew from 3.9 million (2001) to 6.0 million (2025), a 53.8% increase, and donkeys now constitute 90.9% of Pakistan's equid population. Punjab province holds the highest share (2.40 million) followed by Sindh (1.08 million), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (0.78 million), and Balochistan (0.63 million). Welfare assessments indicate widespread poor body condition, excessive workload, and preventable injuries among working donkeys, with clear implications for public and animal health under a One Health framework. Moreover, this review compares Pakistan's donkey production context with China's established industry model and presents a three-phase strategic plan focused on policy reform, value chain development, and capacity building.