Handicrafts of Pakistan: Famous Crafts by Province
The famous handicrafts of Pakistan include ajrak and ralli quilts from Sindh, Multani blue pottery, camel skin lamps and khussa from Punjab, the Peshawari chappal and Chitrali cap from the north-west, Balochi embroidery from Balochistan, and Kashmiri shawls. Most are still made by hand in family workshops, and many can now be bought online.
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Sindh's crafts are bold in colour and pattern:
- Ajrak — cloth hand block-printed in deep red and indigo, worn as a shawl or dupatta and given as a mark of respect. More: Sindhi Ajrak: History, Designs and How It's Made
- Sindhi topi — a round cap with embroidery and small mirrors, worn with ajrak on Sindhi Culture Day
- Ralli quilts — patchwork and appliqué quilts sewn by women from scraps of cloth, each one different
- Hala crafts — the town of Hala is known for glazed kashi tiles and lacquered woodwork
Handicrafts of Punjab, Pakistan
Punjab's crafts centre on its old cities:
- Multani blue pottery — blue and white hand-painted vases, plates and tea sets from Multan
- Camel skin lamps — lamps made from cured camel skin and painted by hand, another Multan craft
- Khussa — embroidered leather shoes from Multan, Bahawalpur and Lahore; see Bahawalpur Famous Bazaar: Khussa, Chunri and More
- Phulkari — bright silk-thread embroidery on dupattas and shawls: Phulkari Dupatta: Embroidery, Designs and History
- Chiniot woodwork — carved wooden furniture and decor
Famous handicrafts of KPK and the north
Leather, wool and embroidery lead here:
- Peshawari chappal — sturdy handmade leather sandals, now made in many new designs for men and women
- Swati shawls — wool shawls with dense hand embroidery from Swat
- Chitrali cap — the rolled wool cap of Chitral and the north, sometimes worn with a feather
- Kashmiri shawls — fine pashmina and kani shawls from Kashmir
Famous handicrafts of Balochistan
Balochistan is known for embroidery and jewellery:
- Balochi embroidery (doch) — dense geometric needlework with mirror work on the front of a Balochi dress: Balochi Embroidery (Doch): Designs and Mirror Work
- Balochi jewellery — heavy traditional silver-style pieces: Balochi Jewellery: Traditional Designs and Names
- Onyx — stone from Balochistan carved into bowls, vases and small decor pieces
Across Pakistan: truck art
Truck art began on the painted lorries of Pakistan's highways and now appears on kettles, frames, trays and bags. More: Truck Art Pakistan: History, Designs and Meaning.
Gifts from Pakistan for foreigners
Handicrafts make the most memorable souvenirs from Pakistan because they can't be found anywhere else. Light, packable ideas:
- An ajrak shawl or a phulkari dupatta
- A Kashmiri or Swati shawl
- A small piece of Multani blue pottery, wrapped well
- A pair of khussa or Peshawari chappal (check the size first)
- A truck art kettle, frame or keychain
- A Chitrali cap or Sindhi topi
💡 Worth knowing
For pottery and camel skin lamps in your luggage, ask the seller to pack them with extra padding, and carry them in your hand luggage if you can.
Pakistani handicrafts online
On dapxop, small sellers across Pakistan list handmade pieces, now including a Crafts of Pakistan section for ajrak, khussa, Peshawari chappal, shawls, blue pottery, camel skin lamps, Chitrali caps and truck art, and dapxop arranges delivery nationwide. If a listing asks for an advance, you pay it to dapxop, and it is checked before the order goes to the seller.
Do you or your family make any of these crafts? Opening a shop on dapxop is free: list your pieces, buyers order from anywhere in Pakistan, and dapxop arranges delivery.
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Frequently asked
What are the famous handicrafts of Pakistan?
Ajrak, ralli quilts, Multani blue pottery, camel skin lamps, khussa, phulkari, the Peshawari chappal, Chitrali caps, Kashmiri shawls, Balochi embroidery, onyx and truck art.
What are the handicrafts of Sindh?
Ajrak, the Sindhi topi, ralli quilts, and the kashi tiles and lacquered woodwork of Hala.
What are the handicrafts of Punjab, Pakistan?
Multani blue pottery, camel skin lamps, khussa, phulkari embroidery and Chiniot woodwork.
What are the famous handicrafts of Balochistan?
Balochi embroidery (doch) with mirror work, traditional Balochi jewellery, and carved onyx.
What are the famous handicrafts of KPK?
The Peshawari chappal, Swati shawls and embroidery, and the Chitrali cap.
What are good gifts from Pakistan for foreigners?
An ajrak or phulkari shawl, a Kashmiri shawl, a small piece of blue pottery, khussa, or a truck art keepsake.