Living outside Pakistan, any subtle or obvious reference to Pakistan, naturally catches our attention and make us feel proud.
In US at least I’ve noticed that if you go to any large retail place, you are guaranteed to see at least two items related to Pakistan. One is a made in Pakistan ’soccer ball’ and other are the music CDs of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. Occasionally one also comes across textile items from Pakistan.
Recently I’ve also seen books related to Benazir Bhutto se
lling in front shelves of book stores across US, Canada and China. I am sure same is the case in many other countries too.
Tonight I was walking with my family in a large retail store in rural Missouri when we came across this whole section of towels which were made in Pakistan (see both photos). I was happily surprised and bought one.
What items have you seen with ‘Made in Pakistan’ label?
Being a single college student, I procrastinate on my laundry. This one time I had to be somewhere and I remembered I had no ‘clean’ socks at home. Rushed to the campus bookstore (in Utah, USA) and bought 3 pairs of socks. Pleasantly found out later that they were made in Pakistan. It made my day.
How can we forget Shan Masala, Rooh Afza, Basmati Rice, Ahmed Saiwayyan & Achaar or Dawn kay Parathay? I usually buy Pakistani food items.
Some of my t-shirts are made in Pakistan. Some of the clothing brands whose clothes I have seen from Pakistan are IZOD, George (Walmarts clothing range), Nike, American Eagle & Cherokee.
Aamir, Invisalign is one example; alas, it’s not manufactured in Pakistan anymore (look up the story, it’s quite interesting).
salaam , living in the uk, i was pleasently suprised to find clothes labels with “made in pakistan” on it.. and the colour didnt run when it was washed!!
Eidee Man:
I am afraid I have never seen anything advanced from Pakistan. The stuff I have bought consists mostly of textiles and sporting goods, and I have seen instruments used in bathroom and in dentistry, surgery etc. I have never seen an electronic or mechanical device, or a toy that was made in Pakistan.
What about more “advanced” stuff (not to put down other important things already mentioned). I wonder if there are other things along the lines of Invisalign.
I recently bought some ladies’ shirts from Pakistan that were really nice, featuring good facing and doublestitched hemming, both things that are usually lacking. I also got two pair of fancy embroidery scissors from our local “big box” store and saw when I unpackaged them that they were from Pakistan. These scissors are a speciality item, very small, fine and super-sharp. Later I checked and noticed that all the types of scissors of that major brand are made in Pakistan.
I used to import costume jewelery and candleholders from Karachi and Multan. The jewelery makers were Bombay Jewelers in Saddar market. They replicated antique pieces in inexpensive metals such as copper with colored glass for the jewels. Sounds terrible but the result was so gorgeous! They were looking to expand their market and I was going to get a lot more from them, but then I had my baby (this was ten years ago). All I have to say is, their jewelery was my best seller and I still have pieces that I wear.
The Multan pottery works (government workshop) had such beautiful things–the killer was and is shipping costs for the heavy potteries. But the quality was perfect. I also got some very beautiful rosewood candleholders.
Oh yes, I also ordered several hundred of simple purses made in Karachi and they sold out right away .
Everyone who worked with me was generally honest and helpful. There was no punctuality but this was not the sellers’ fault. There was at that time frequent strikes and power outages and workshops in Orangi were shut down for hours every day. During that time Pakistan lost a big deal with Goodrich Tire Co. worth millions of dollars because of the instability.
Pakistani merchants have a lot to offer and I’m glad to see that they are beginning to pull off export deals with the big players like Wal-mart.
Oh and Bugs Bunny–Mexican mangoes? In France? Really? Ugh–the best mangoes ever are from Iran (sorry Pakistan!) and I’m surprised they shipped the crappy mangoes all the way from Mexico. Pakistani, Indian, and Iranian mangoes are usually abundant in Europe, although you can’t get all of the 200 varieties of course. Hope you find them soon :)
Actually there are many products made in Pakistan for export. It is our damned political uncertainty and religious frenzy of the fanatics that keeps companies from doing more. But what is already being done is quite impressive. Sailkot, in particular, is really a place that manufactures for the export market which is why they have built a new airport for themselves. You should write about that.
In Barcelona, Spain there is a street called Rambla (tourist spot), where pakistani youth ( usually hang out in groups) are selling beer. Some carrying six packs.
A dollar a beer. I am no angel
and a product of pakistan myself, did nt appreciate this hide and seek between ` local police, and these young men (very often end up in jail) who are searching for a bright future on a wrong path.