Punjab Newsline, Chandigarh –
Haryana’s Energy, Transport and Labour Minister Anil Vij today said that the donkeys of Pakistan and the horses of India have always been very famous. He remarked that the friendship between Pakistan and China is due to donkeys, whereas India has several renowned breeds of horses. He said that India's horses and Pakistan’s donkeys have always been well-known.
Vij made these remarks during a intracting with media persons today. It is worth noting that Haryana’s Energy Minister, Sh. Anil Vij, often remains in the headlines due to his bold statements. Today, he made a tongue-in-cheek remark indirectly targeting the China-Pakistan relationship using the metaphor of horses and donkeys.
Energy Minister said that the donkeys of Pakistan and the horses of India have always been very famous, and that currently, donkey trade is thriving in Pakistan. According to recent donkey census data, Pakistan has more than 6 million donkeys. He said that the friendship between Pakistan and China is also because of donkeys.
He further stated that India’s horses have always been well-known—like Maharana Pratap’s horse Chetak, referred to as “a horse that could fly like the wind.” India has several prestigious horse breeds that are quite famous. Thus, both India's horses and Pakistan's donkeys have consistently held their unique reputations.
It is worth recalling that India has a rich history with horses, with several renowned breeds and historically significant horses. India is home to many indigenous breeds known for their distinctive features and capabilities. These include the Marwari horse, Kathiawari horse, Manipuri pony, Spiti horse, Bhutia horse, Zaniskari horse, and others. Historically famous horses include Chetak (Maharana Pratap’s horse), Krishna (Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s horse), and Badal (horse of Hammirdev Chauhan), among others.
In contrast, donkeys in Pakistan are known for different reasons, and it is because of them that the country has developed trade relations with China. According to recent data, the donkey population in Pakistan has increased from 5.9 million to 6.047 million. This gives Pakistan the third-largest donkey population in the world, after Ethiopia and Sudan. In China, donkey skin is used to make a traditional medicine and beauty product called Ejiao.
In short, Pakistan’s donkeys are famous due to their large population and growing trade relations with China, where their hides are used in traditional medicine and beauty products.