LEATHER INDUSTRY
Pakistan is amongst the leading countries in the world for the production of high quality leather goods with a well-established leather industry and an abundant supply of raw materials. The leather industry is as old as the history of the country. During the colonial era, just a handful of tanneries were working in Karachi and Lahore, and by the 70s more units were established in other major industrial cities of the country. Today, these tanneries are producing not only wet blue and crust but also fully finished leather. The main sub-sectors of the leather industry in the country comprise of tanning, garments, gloves, footwear and goods. The premium production quality and standards of each item is a testament to the highly skilled craftsmen who have been working in this industry for generations. The art of tanning leather and transforming it into finished goods requires a mixture of manual and mechanical work with high amount of precision and expertise. Every stitch, every cut and every design has been passed down through generations and perfected with a lifelong dedication to the craft. According to global industry experts, the leather from Pakistan ranks second only to Italy in terms of its quality and finish. In the international market Pakistan is considered the hub for high quality leather, supplying products such as jackets, trousers, bags and wallets to world-renowned fashion brands like Zara, H&M and Armani. #Every product has a story, which product are you taking home…
SPORTS INDUSTRY
Pakistan’s sports goods industry holds a distinct position in the international market for its superior quality and craftsmanship. For more than 100 years, the city of Sialkot has been the centre of excellence in the manufacturing of sporting goods. The first record of sports goods production in Sialkot can be traced back to the late 19th century, when cricket bats, hockey sticks and footballs were supplied to the British Army. In 1889, a British sergeant asked a Sialkot saddle maker to repair his punctured football. He ended up so pleased with the results that he placed an order for a batch of balls to be made from that same saddle maker. Production took off from there: by 1982, Sialkot-produced footballs were used in the World Cup. Going from a traditionally manual set up, today Sialkot has more than 3,000 small and medium sized units and over 50 well established state-of-the-art factories manufacturing world-class sportswear and goods from football, cricket, hockey and ice hockey, basketball, baseball, boxing, judo, equestrian equipment, badminton, tennis to highly technical motor sportswear. Even though the majority of the work is done by machines, the most critical steps require an artisanal touch. The skills, ingenuity and artistry of the local manufacturers are reflected in each item. Pakistan’s sports goods industry supplies products to multiple countries around the globe and has received recognition due to the care that goes into every step of production, from the selection of raw materials, design and manufacturing to shipping. As a result, world renowned brands like Adidas, Nike, Puma and Decathlon source a large portion of their supplies of sports goods from Sialkot. #Every product has a story, which product are you taking home …
CARPETS & RUGS INDUSTRY
Pakistan is amongst the world's largest producers and exporters of hand-knotted carpets and rugs. Historians believe that carpet manufacturing grew its roots in the region now constituting Pakistan back in the 11th century, when the first Muslim conquerors, the Ghaznavids and the Ghaurids, set foot here. The carpets woven in Lahore were the first to reach the European markets, as far back as the 17th century. Hand-knotted Pakistani carpets and rugs are known worldwide for their superior craftsmanship and exquisite designs. The credit for this amazing achievement goes to the carpet weavers; artisans who could weave poetry into every knot they tie. A single hand-knotted carpet can take anywhere between six months to more than a decade to produce depending on the distinctive designs, size, quality and rich knotting density. More than 70% of the workforce of this industry comprises of women in Pakistan. Queen Elizabeth II, during her visit of Pakistan in 1997, was presented with the finest Pakistani hand-knotted carpet, which can still be seen on the floors of Buckingham Palace today. More recently, wealthy owners have made these hand-knotted carpets and rugs the centrepiece of their rooms, hanging them as tapestries and even made them the focal points of Renaissance paintings, representing a symbol of class, sophistication and worldliness. Every carpet produced in Pakistan has a story showcasing a rich history, diverse culture and the supreme dedication of our talented artisans. #Every carpet has a story, which carpet are you taking home …
HANDICRAFTS INDUSTRY
Pakistan has a rich and diverse history of handicrafts. Every city has its own handicrafts specialty ranging from fabric and material embroidery to jewellery, wood carving, mirror work and other handicraft items. Each colour, style, design and motif carries with it a unique symbol portraying the culture of that particular area and builds on the people’s indigenous skills. The skill of creating blue pottery is called Kashi Kari. Kashi is a term that refers to the enamelled work done on a terracotta base. While other potteries are made of clay, blue pottery is unique in that it is primarily a ceramic body made of quartz. In addition to that, hand painted motifs add to its exclusivity. Any single piece will stay true in colour and condition even if exposed to natural elements for well over a 100 years. Items like camel skin lamps and blue pottery are some of the most exquisite and unique handicrafts found in the very ancient and historical city of Multan. In these handicrafts, the age-old art of painting and blue pottery have their own place, having become the identity of this city. This craft was originally influenced by the Persian decorative arts, which had been popular in Iran from the 16th to 18th century. With the transfer of many Persian artists to Turkey during the Ottoman Dynasty, this craft became the basis for decorating the walls of mosques, palaces and shrines. Today, this beautiful art can be found on various decoration items such as pots, vases, plates. Though the overall colour and aesthetic is similar, on closer inspection the artist’s personal touch is evident in each product, making each item unique and one of a kind. #Every handicraft has a story, which handicraft are you taking home …
SWORDS & DAGGER INDUSTRY (COMING TO EASTIFY SOON)
Located in the traditional metal workmanship triangle of Punjab is the town of Wazirabad, where a major part of the cutlery industry of Pakistan is clustered. The history of metalwork in Wazirabad dates back to the invasion of Alexander the Great in the region. However, it was during the colonial era that the craftsmen of this area were recognised for their skills and would produce arms and accessories like bayonets, kirpans, knives and daggers for the allied forces. After the Second World War, the industry went through a restructuring and product diversification phase and started manufacturing blades, shears, daggers, swords and knives for decorative purposes. Locally crafted handmade products such as swords, pocket knives, military knives and hunting knives are globally recognised for their high quality and traditional designs. The major raw materials used include stainless steel sheet, re-melted metals, brass sheets, densified wood, camel bones, steel wire and plastics. Among different grades of steel being used is Damascus steel, which yields the best finish for these products. Today, the Pakistan cutlery industry has grown to become the world’s 3rd largest exporter, mainly exporting to USA and Europe. Some of these exquisitely crafted swords have been used in Oscar award winning movies like Braveheart and Gladiator, which is a true testament to the craftsmanship and high quality of production. #Every product has a story, which product are you taking home …
