Saddar Karachi Market Guide: Zainab, Empress & More
Saddar Karachi market is not one market but a whole district of them: Zainab Market for leather jackets and export-surplus clothes, Empress Market for spices, dry fruit and pets, Bohri Bazar for fabric and crockery, the Saddar mobile market for phones, and Regal Trade Square for laptops and computers. It is Karachi's oldest shopping area and usually its cheapest. Here is how to find your way around.
Browse dapxop marketplace
Sell on dapxop PakistanSaddar bazar Karachi at a glance
The main markets are all within walking distance of each other, so you can cover several in one trip.
| Market | Known for | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Zainab Market | Leather jackets, jeans, export-surplus clothes | Check sizes — surplus sizing varies |
| Empress Market | Spices, dry fruit, pets and birds nearby | Go early for the freshest stock |
| Bohri Bazar | Fabric, clothes, bartan and crockery | Very crowded lanes; travel light |
| Saddar mobile market | New and used mobiles, accessories | Check PTA status before paying |
| Regal Trade Square | Laptops, computers, parts | Test the laptop in the shop |
Zainab Market Karachi
Zainab Market is famous for leather jackets, jeans, shirts and export-surplus clothing — garments made for foreign brands that end up in local shops. Winter is its busiest season. Quality varies from shop to shop, so check stitching, zips and leather feel, and try things on: surplus sizes do not always match Pakistani sizing.
Empress Market Karachi history
Empress Market is the grand stone market building with a clock tower at the centre of Saddar, built in the British era and opened in the late 1880s, named after Queen Victoria. Inside and around it, traders sell spices, dry fruit, fruit, vegetables and meat, and the lanes nearby have long had pet and bird shops. The area around it was cleared of encroachments in 2018, so the building is easier to see today than it was for decades.
Looking for birds or pets? Read Birds Market in Pakistan: Karachi, Lahore, Pindi before you buy.
Bohri Bazar Saddar Karachi
Bohri Bazar is a maze of narrow lanes packed with fabric, ready-made clothes, shoes, bags, bartan and crockery. It is one of the busiest parts of Saddar and one of the best for bargains if you are patient. Go on a weekday morning and keep your phone and wallet secure.
Saddar mobile market Karachi
Saddar's mobile market sells new and used phones, accessories and repairs. Prices are competitive, but used phones need checking: confirm the IMEI and PTA status, test the camera, speakers and charging, and ask for a written receipt.
Use How to Check a Used Mobile Before Buying and How to Check if a Mobile Is PTA Approved as your checklist.
Saddar Karachi laptop market (Regal Trade Square)
Regal Trade Square near Regal Chowk is Karachi's best-known computer and laptop market — new and used laptops, parts, printers and repairs. Many used laptops are imported, so battery health and screen condition vary a lot.
Before paying, follow How to Check a Used Laptop Before Buying.
Getting there and staying safe
Saddar is central but congested.
- Take a rickshaw, bus or ride-hailing car; parking is hard.
- Weekday mornings are calmer than evenings and weekends.
- Carry only the cash you need, in small notes.
- Bargain, but know the fair price before you start.
⚠️ Careful here
Market timings in Pakistan change — city governments set closing times, many markets close one day a week, and Ramadan and Eid change everything. Check the day before you go (a quick call to a shop you know works best), rather than relying on a timing printed online.
Prefer to shop online?
If you can't get to a bazaar, dapxop is an online marketplace where small independent sellers from across Pakistan list handmade and small-batch products — jewellery, clothing, gifts, crochet, home décor and more — and dapxop arranges delivery to your door.
On dapxop, if a listing asks for an advance, you pay it to dapxop, not to a stranger's personal account, and it is checked before the order goes to the seller. You can also report a problem within 48 hours of delivery.
More Karachi markets: Markets in Karachi: Famous, Cheap and Local Bazaars. All cities: Famous Markets in Pakistan: City by City Guide.
Shop small businesses online and get it delivered.
Browse dapxop →Explore on dapxop
Shop from small sellers across Pakistan.
Frequently asked
What is Saddar Karachi famous for?
Saddar is Karachi's oldest and biggest market area, famous for Zainab Market (leather and surplus clothes), Empress Market (spices and dry fruit), Bohri Bazar (fabric and crockery) and its mobile and laptop markets.
What is Zainab Market famous for?
Leather jackets, jeans and export-surplus clothing at bazaar prices, especially in winter.
When was Empress Market built?
Empress Market was built in the British era and opened in the late 1880s, named after Queen Victoria, Empress of India.
Is Zainab Market open on Sunday?
Opening days and hours change with city notices and seasons, so check with a shop before you go rather than relying on a timing posted online.
Where is the laptop market in Saddar Karachi?
The best-known computer and laptop market is Regal Trade Square, near Regal Chowk in Saddar.
Is it safe to buy a used phone from Saddar mobile market?
It can be, if you check the phone first — IMEI, PTA status, camera, charging and battery — and get a written receipt from the shop.