Islamabad - Post Report Question and Answers
Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
There are some options for local furniture and definitely a big variety of carpets. Do not buy local ones, even though they are cheaper. Instead you have the option to get Afghani or Iranian ones at very low prices. Your negotiation skills will determine if you will have a real bargain and do not hesitate to bargain hard. Even at half of the original asking price, the seller will make a profit, so don't be shy to give ridiculously low offers. The sellers wish to have expat customers who will advertise their merchandise, so if you are persistent, you will get really good prices. There is one big shopping mall, the Centaurus. It has various shops and a food court. However, it is rather difficult to find variety of European style clothes in Islamabad (even more so for women). - Oct 2023
Yep, but plenty of people overspend on stuff they end up regretting, so buyer beware. You can get beautiful carpets, furniture, and jewelry, but don’t get sucked into dropping cash on stuff just because you see everyone else doing it. - Jun 2022
Lot of items to purchase if you want to, ceramics, rugs, pashimas, jewelry, handicrafts, furniture. - Feb 2019
Yes. You will likely come back with lots of rugs, handmade furniture and jewelry. Don't go overboard on the Pakistani clothes, you'll get back and never wear most of them again. - Sep 2016
Carpets and traditional wooden furniture (look for a store named PakTurk). It's all dirt-cheap and beautiful. - Sep 2015
Rugs, furniture, and jewelry - Aug 2015
Carpets. Lots of people have furniture made. Jewelry and clothes. - Aug 2015
Carpets, jewelry, restaurants, local travel, furniture, plants and landscaping, and clothes. - Feb 2014
Custom-made everything: furniture made from old carved doors and windows, shirts, cashmere coats, Western copies or local clothing, shoes, boots, jewelry. You can also buy brass and copper, gemstones, carpets, pottery, shawls and scarves, paintings, etc. - Dec 2013
Anything you want. - Mar 2012
Jungle art and carpets. - Aug 2011
Oh my. Everything. The Rosewood and Walnut are amazing, as is the craftsmanship. Carpets are imported from Iran and Afghanistan, but cheaper than you'd pay in the states. And Gems are amazing. There are some jewelry shops where they will custom make whatever you want for insanely reasonable prices. And if you have suits you like, the tailors can copy anything. - Jan 2010
Textiles, jewelry, chinioti wooden furniture. - Oct 2009
Furniture, model "jingle trucks" and jingle truck art/decorations. - Oct 2008
