Islamabad

Shopping in Islamabad

Should you bargain or not? Most major shops have fixed prices but in traditional bazaars a certain degree of bargaining is allowed. You can find pashmina shawls, carpets, green tea and embroidered linen at Indus Crafts. Many book shops offer an amazing variety of English language books. The supermarkets will be the main venue of your shopping expeditions since Islamabad has eschewed the mega mall concept.

The markets house hundreds of shops that sell a variety of products ranging from CDs to carpets to clothes. Have fun while shopping in one of the local markets in Islamabad.

Below we have given you some hints on how to get the best deals and learn about the best places to shop in Islamabad. If you get hungry during your shopping spree, stop for some finger food or relax in one of the Islamabad Restaurants along the city's shopping streets. For more general information, take a look at our Pakistan Shopping Guide.

Islamabad Shopping Guide

Named after the founder of Pakistan, the Jinnah Super Market is famous for its book, fabric and garment shops. While the Jinnah Super Market is rightly the best known shopping area, other places that offer a good bargain are the Super Market and the Blue Area business district.

Shopper's Pick

- Classy fashion garments: Jinnah Super Market, F-7
- Bargainers' delight: Super Market, F-6
- Everyday needs: Rana Market, F-7/2
- Imported goods: Kohsar Market, F-6/3

The following are the main markets of Islamabad:

Jinnah Super Market, F-7

Fashionable, classy and priced accordingly, the Jinnah Super Market is where the rich shop (the sister city Rawalpindi serves the middle class and blue-collar workers). Here you find many fashion stores, including those selling designer brands. Prominent among them are Chen One (garments and household items), Amer Adnan, Junaid Jamshed's (branded traditional Pakistani dresses for men) and Maria B's boutique (ladies' dresses). International labels available in the market include Levis and GQ.

Super Market, F-6

This is where you must bargain. One of the older and larger shopping venues of Islamabad, F-6 is utilitarian and you can find many a bargain here. Choose carefully after you have beaten down the price.

Rate List

Shopkeepers are required to display price lists of daily use items and can be fined for overcharging.

Ayub Market, F-8

Located in an area that houses the law courts and administrative offices of the police top brass, F-8's main market, known as Ayub Market, has not done as well as others. However, there have been some signs of revival recently.

Rana Market, F-7/2

Here the focus is on everyday needs, both material and services. The relatively small Rana Market takes care of your basic needs. You'll find general, electrical and hardware stores, a dry cleaner, a shop for fruits and vegetables and even a pre-owned furniture store here. Paul Dixon is a barber who has made a name for himself here! Tea time is special because of the samosas and freshly fried jalebis that are available along with the staple tea.

Kohsar Market, F-6/3

Old-world charm and a large selection of imported goods - primarily food items - make this small market special. It is one of the oldest in Islamabad and the clientele is largely the diplomatic community as well as the well-off elite of the city. Well-maintained and clean shops, courteous shop assistants, and away from the madding crowd - the feel is distinctively old world.

Festive Fare

Festival seasons offer a variety of unique stuff and are a great time to buy traditional items like handicrafts, bangles etc at bargains.

Shopping Places

Traditions

Good leather store which specialises in bags, wallets and briefcases. Leather is cheap and while the quality and finish may not be of the highest standard, it is more than presentable. Designs are generally not original. They also have a few accessories such as key chains, filo-faxes and notepads.

F-7 Jinnah Market

Chen One

A multi purpose 'fabric' store which has a very reasonably priced range of bed-sheets, covers, duvets, bathroom towels and mats. The quality is good and the designs are usually not original. They also stock a less impressive range of clothing.

F-7 Jinnah Market

Florists

Opposite the main entrance to Jinnah market you will also find a row of florists all providing much the same variety of seasonal flowers at pretty much the same prices. There are ranges of bouquets to choose from starting at around Rs 100 right through to the more elaborate and expensive designs, which are more expensive. The florists were dotted around the city until the Capital Development Authority decided that they looked 'prettier' together! Quite true!

F-7 Jinnah Market

Durrani's

For Art Supplies, stationery, paper and pens, you need look no further than Durrani's, one of Islamabad's oldest and most sucessful shops. Durrani's provides the most comprehensive selection of art materials available in the city and a decent range of imported pens.

F-6 Super Market

London Book Store

Offers the best selection of paperbacks available in the city. A quiet and unobtrusive shop which attracts a regular clientele especially because they import a wide range of European and American publications with an emphasis on newspapers from the UK. One can come across the New York Times and even the New York Post, as well as papers from all over Europe as well as the Middle East. Singapore and Hong Kong are also represented. The Book shop imports a fairly wide range of imported magazines which, due to their weight, end up becoming exorbitantly expensive once they arrive on the shel, so expect to pay about $10 for a $2.50 magazine!

F-6/3 Kohsar Market

United Bakery

Landmark business of Islamabad. Offers the usual array of pastries, cakes, biscuits, breads and loads of other sweet and snackish fare. They have a loyal clientele - it is probably the largest of the bakeries in terms of size if not selection.

F-6 Super Market

Shaheen Chemist

Shaheen chemists are as thorough as any chemist shop in Islamabad and offer stuff like cosmetics and Body Shop items, often at exorbitant prices.

F-6 Super Market

Off Beat

You will find a fair selection of mainstream Western music and of course the latest Indian Bollywood beats as well! Most of the recorded tapes are "fast" recorded and for people looking for quality sound recordings, you would be far better off ordering online and receiving a non pirated genuine article.

F-7 Jinnah Market

Book Fair & Other Stationery Stores

Head to Book Fair for more generic reading material and stationery. For office stationery, check out Wasim Stationers (behind Afghan bakery) and try Book Nook for greeting cards.

F-7 Jinnah Market

Qureshi's

Islamabad's premier butcher shop, Qureshi's offers the best selection of fresh and frozen meat, including frankfurters and sausages (non-pork of course). They also have a supply of turkey for occasions like Thanksgiving and Christmas. Qureshi's is another of Islamabad's success stories and appear to be maintaining a decent standard. Pet food is also available.

F-6/3 Kohsar Market





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