In a small garment shop at RajouriKadal in downtown, HabibullahBazaz sells his cloth merchandise. Though a modest looking shop, it is being thronged by huge number of female folk looking for Pakistani cotton suits.
Bazaz, 62, along with his two salesmen, is busy showcasing colorful printed cotton suits imported from Pakistan’s Karachi. He says these suits are in high demand at this time of year and as Eid just few days away the rush has increased.
“As winter loosens its grip more than a hundred fashion houses from Pakistan, big and small, prepare to unveil their summer collections which finds huge followers in Kashmir,” says Bazaz.
“Pakistani suits are colored cotton fabric, which are sold in stitched and unstitched form in a myriad of hues to an eager set of buyers who will sometimes go to great lengths to get their favourite suit pieces. Mostly Pakistani shalwar suit is the preferred outfit for women here.”
When asked what makes Pakistani suits favorite, he replies with a smile “Pakistan and its colorful fabric”.
Brands like Sana Safinaz, Gul Ahmed, JunaidJamsheed, Chinyere, Bareeze, Umar Syed and many more are available at various stores in Kashmir. These brands mostly attract upper class in Kashmir and the tourists from the metropolitan cities.
“Pakistani cotton suit are good in quality and available at affordable prices. Besides there is huge variety of colors to choose from,” said AirahIrshad, an avid lover of Pakistani suits.
FT Studio a unit of Al-Khuddam Group is known as the pioneer of introducing Pakistani dresses in Kashmir. “We introduced Pakistani dresses to Kashmir which became instant hit among people here. Now many people are importing them. However its demand is still increasing as Pakistani cotton fabric is known to be of excellent quality and vast range of choice is available,” said Sheikh Feroz, managing director of Al- Khuddam group.
Besides cloth material, Pakistani dates, fruits, fruit juices, spices from other side of LoC too have captured Kashmiri market.
As per traders, Pakistani products find their way through two routes, one is from LoC routes of Salamabad and Poonch and other from Wagah product. Those products transported from Wagah border are levied with import duty, while trade during intra-Kashmir routes is custom free.
President, Salamabad – Chakoti traders association, HilalTurki said till now they have received 30 truckload of dates from Pakistan.
“During month of Ramadhan there is huge demand for dates and since the inception of cross LoC trade, Pakistani dates are being imported to Kashmir and are consumed with craze. There is good demand of Pakistani dates as they are cheaper in cost than Middle East dates,” he added.
Turki further said that around four truckloads carrying spices have been imported from the other side, of Kashmir in last 20 days which shows how much these things are in demand here.