Pakistan’s economy is aligned on the traditional model of clearly defined wholesale and retail market areas called ‘Bazaars’. These traditional markets offer a business environment which is consumer friendly, competitive and convenient. The traditional markets usually have a number of competing stores and vendors selling same category of items at one place. For instance there are separate well defined markets in most major cities for food stuff, household items, furniture and home décor, textile and apparel, electronics and computers, home appliances, books and stationery, and jewelry. The traditional markets offer great bargains to shoppers who have the advantage of comparing prices vis-à-vis quality being offered.

Here we cover some of the traditional markets in the major cities which are must visit if you like to buy stuff at competitive prices and have a shopping experience that is different and perhaps more interesting than shopping at a shopping mall or super market store.

Bazaars in Karachi

Karachi is the largest city of Pakistan both in terms of areas as well as population. While a number of modern super markets and shopping malls have come up in Karachi over the last two decades, Karachites still like to shop at traditional markets spread all over the city. Some of the major traditional market areas in Karachi are as follows:

Zainab Market

Zainab Market is popular for children and toddler clothing, apparel and comfort items. If you are looking for affordable gift items for children Zainab Market is the place to go.

Zamzama Street

Zamzama Street is famous for readymade designer wear and haute couture. If you are planning to buy traditional Pakistani clothing in silk, cotton, and chiffon with high quality embroidery at affordable prices, Zamzama Street should figure out high on your list of places to visit. Zamzama Street has a large collection of vendors selling wedding and formal dresses for different occasions.

Sarafa Bazaar

If you are looking forward to buying traditional or contemporary jewelry or trade your old gold jewelry for fresh designs or like to buy gold and silver bullion, Karachi Sarafa Bazaar is the ideal place to be.

Urdu Bazaar

Located on M.A. Jinnah Road, Urdu Bazaar is amongst the oldest market for books and stationery items in Karachi. There are hundreds of stores selling curriculum books, fiction books, magazines, school stationery, bags and other similar items. A large number of printing and publishing houses are located in and around Urdu Bazaar.

Fish Market

Located close to Kemari Harbour, Fish Market is the place to buy fresh supply of fish, shrimps, lobsters, crabs and other seafood items. Like all food markets in the world the place is bit smelly and noisy but best place to buy fish.

Empress Market

Empress Market is one of the oldest market districts of Karachi and is popular for grains, spices, condiments, fruits, vegetables and meats. The market has been recently renovated and been given a new look. Must visit place in Karachi.

Bazaars in Lahore

Lahore has historically been famous for its bazaars and markets. The ancient walled city had seven gates and each gate corresponded to a particular type of trade or commercial activity. Many of these bazaars carry forward the old tradition. A number of new market areas have emerged with the passage of time making Lahore the city of bazaars and an ideal city for shoppers and bargain hunters. Some of the most popular bazaars of Lahore are:

Akbari Mandi

Akbari Mandi Lahore is the biggest whole sale and retail foodstuff market in Pakistan. The market has historically been the major market of grains and spices in the Pakistan-India subcontinent for several centuries.

Azam Cloth Market

Azam Cloth Market is the biggest wholesale markets for cloth, fabrics and textiles. Azam Cloth Market is one of the biggest textile markets in Asia and has hundreds of wholesalers, importers and exporters operating from one market area.

Anarkali Bazaar

Anarkali Bazaar is the oldest and popular market district that has been the center of attraction for locals and visitors alike over the millennia. You will find reference to Anarkali Bazaar in some of the oldest history books and autobiographies.

Liberty Market

Liberty Market is another old and traditional market of Lahore for clothing, footwear, jewelry and fashion and beauty items. Many of the major national brands have their outlets located in Liberty Market. Besides, there are a large number of smaller stores, stalls and vendors selling textiles, fabrics, and articles of clothing and footwear.

Ichchra Bazaar

Ichchra Bazaar is another popular market amongst shoppers of Lahore looking for bargains and replicas of various branded items of clothing, jewelry and fashion items.

Sua Bazaar

Sua Bazaar is the biggest jewelry market of Lahore selling locally made and imported jewelry of gold and silver besides wholesale trade in gold and silver bullion, bars and coins.

Kasera Bazaar

Kasera Bazzar is the most popular market for cookware, utensils, and crockery and cutlery items. A number of stores in Kasera Bazzar deal in antique items made of brass, steel and bronze.

Shah Alam Market

Shah Alam Market is one of the oldest market districts of Lahore and has been historically popular amongst Lahorites. The market has hundreds of wholesalers and retailers selling imported electronics, gadgets, and foodstuff.

Tolinton Market

If you are looking forward to buying fresh supply of chicken, meats and fish Tolinton Market is the place to visit. The market has a large number of shops and warehouses selling fresh and frozen meats and fish. However, like any poultry market, be prepared to experience lot of repugnant smell and blood scenes of live slaughtering and cutting of chicken and fish.

Bazaars in Islamabad-Rawalpindi

Sadar Bazaar

Sadar Bazaar is located in Rawalpindi and is one of the most traditional market areas in Islamabad-Rawalpindi urban region. The market has a large number of stores and multistory sub-markets selling clothing, footwear and jewelry and fashion items.

Raja Bazaar

Raja Bazaar is another old and popular market of Islamabad-Rawalpindi Capital Area. Raja Bazaar is in fact an amalgamation of a number of smaller bazaars and markets selling host of items like clothing, footwear, bridal wear, and utility and consumer items. Raja Bazaar is usually very busy and has known parking issues.

Bazaars in Peshawar

Bara Market

Located close to famous Khyber Pass, Peshawar Bara Market is one of the oldest and traditional trading markets of Khyber Pakhtunkhawa Province of Pakistan. Bara Market has a number of stores spread over a large area selling clothing, watches, electronics, appliances and gadgets. If you happen to be in Peshawar, Bara Market is a must see.

Qissa Khawani Bazaar

Qissa Khawani Bazaar is another traditional market district of Peshawar. With a number of adjacent streets and alleyways selling different kinds of utility and consumer items, clothing and dry fruits, Qissa Khawani Bazaar is a famous get away for the visiting tourists and the local population alike.

Bazaars in Quetta

Barech Market

The market is famous for imported items of clothing, apparel and foodstuff. The market is also known for Iranian items like blankets, cloth and textiles.

Russian Market

The Russian Market is famous for stuff imported from Russian via Afghanistan. Here you can get good bargains on Russian air conditioners, refrigerators, and other home appliances besides beautiful Russian fabrics and textiles.

Conclusion

The aim of this article was to give you a brief overview of the traditional markets found in different parts of Pakistan. The markets listed above are only a tiny representation of the shopping scene of Pakistan. There are hundreds of traditional markets all over the country where shoppers get great bargains and satiate their shopping pleasure. This article will be updated periodically to make it more comprehensive and informative. Thanks for reading.