The handicraft industry is significantly contributing to income and employment generation as well as economic and social sustainability of Pakistan. The recent statistics indicates that as much as 13.54% of all employees nationally are accounted for in the crafts and related services sector alone.

The Pakistan produces extensive variety of crafts such as textile, embroidery, beadwork, block printing, patchwork, woodcrafts, pottery, jewelry, stone carving, etc. that has a long history of over at least 5000 years and migration by Persians, Greeks and Arabs have included their diverse cultures to the craft heritage.

The traditional crafts are produced extensively in all provinces of Pakistan, mostly in rural areas. The handicrafts from different parts of country have their own uniqueness, the shape, color and type of handicraft very beautifully represents the specialty of the region. The colors, style, design and motif carry with them a unique symbol reflecting the culture of this particular area and based on the skills of indigenous peoples.

The main hub of crafts in Pakistan is Sindh. Around 80% of handicrafts are made in this province. Most of the products from Sindh are delivered to Karachi and Lahore. Nowadays large numbers of products are being made in Punjab also. Balochistan is known for unique and intricate production of handicrafts which include hand-made Balochi shoes known for their durability, uniqueness and fineness all over the country; fine mirror work, embroidery, and marble work and fine quality precious stones.

Such cities as Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Faisalabad and Peshawar have a solid market for this business. Karachi is known as the hub of handicrafts due to high sales in the region, as well as the presence of a large number of exporters in the city who export handicrafts to foreign countries via port.

In Pakistan, handicrafts market has seen tremendous growth in the last 10 to 15 years.
The handicraft industry is significantly contributing to income and employment generation as well as economic and social sustainability of the country. The recent statistics indicates that as much as
13.54% of all employees nationally are accounted for in the crafts and related services sector alone.

Pakistani handicrafts are considered highly valuable in western countries and the customers abroad are willing to pay any price for them.

Despite its rich cultural heritage and substantial artisan base, Pakistani exports of art and crafts account for only 0.5% of the global handicraft market. Obviously, Pakistani handicrafts have tremendous opportunities in the overseas market.