Public Holidays Shah -e- Barat

The Punjab government has announced a public holiday across the province on the occasion of Shab-e-Barat. According to an official notification, all provincial government offices, autonomous and semi-autonomous bodies, local councils, and government and semi-government educational institutions will remain closed on Wednesday, February 4, 2026. Authorities have directed relevant departments to ensure proper arrangements at mosques, shrines, and cemeteries to manage expected gatherings and maintain safety. Meanwhile, Sindh has also declared a holiday for educational institutions on the same date in observance of Shab-e-Barat. This content is for informational purposes only and based on available reports. This image is used for reference. Please visit official sources for further details. #ShabEBaraat #PublicHoliday #PunjabGovernment

Donkey Hides' Export to China Permitted, All Set for Final Inspection in Gwadar

Amid the formal lifting of the ban on the export of donkey hides to China by the government of Pakistan, preparations are underway for the final inspection of the Chinese pharmaceutical company Hengeng Trading Enterprise. The company aims to operate Pakistan’s first donkey slaughterhouse in the Gwadar North Free Zone. The General Administration of Customs of China has already conducted an online inspection to approve Hengeng’s processes and procedures under prescribed laws. A Balochistan government official stated that the federal government has authorised the export of donkey hides to China through an amendment to the Ministry of Commerce’s Export Policy Order. According to the notification, the export will only be permitted for firms manufacturing in designated and registered donkey slaughterhouses within the Gwadar Free Zone North. The official added that in July 2024, protocols for exporting donkey skins and meat to China had already been finalised. The Chinese company, Hengeng Trading Enterprise, has also received certification from Pakistan Animal Quarantine (Import and Export of Animals and Animal Products) to operate the facility. Pakistan’s first China-led, modern slaughterhouse for donkey meat and hides has been constructed at a cost of $50 million in the Gwadar North Free Zone and now awaits final operational approval. An official from the Ministry for Maritime Affairs shared that donkeys being reared at farmhouses in various parts of Punjab will be transported to the Gwadar facility. There, their meat and skins will be processed following international standards before being exported to China. The Gwadar donkey slaughterhouse is expected to introduce advanced slaughter technology in Pakistan, ensuring disease-free meat and high-quality preservation through a cold chain system. According to the latest data, Pakistan’s donkey population has reached 5.9 million during the fiscal year 2023–24, marking a steady increase that aligns with the country’s plans to develop a sustainable export industry for donkey-derived products.