by Gulrukh Tausif

Created on: February 02, 2010   Last Updated: March 03, 2010

Shopping in Islamabad, Pakistan

Shopping in the capital city of Pakistan can be lot of fun if one knows the right places to visit. While it is true that Islamabad has to go a long way before the ambiance in its shops can rival the hustle bustle of markets in Lahore, Karachi or even Peshawar, it is also a fact that shopping in Islamabad has a quaint charm of its own.

The most striking feature about Islamabad is the centrally positioned shopping squares within each sector called “Markaz.” These cater to day to day shopping needs of its residents. The large shopping squares have a wide range of shops from mobile phone franchises, meat and chicken shops, grocery stores, pharmacies, vegetable and fruit shops, bakeries, bookshops, boutiques, food outlets and shoe stores. Almost every Markaz also hosts shops in Islamic trends which sell abayas, headscarves, prayer rugs, Islamic books, CDs and perfumes.

ABPARA MARKET:

Another important place to mention here is the Aabpara Market, one of the oldest and most comprehensive markets in Islamabad. It hosts a great variety of shops selling dry fruits, toys, consumer goods, kitchen utensils, sports and leather goods, school uniforms and everything that is needed to keep a household running smoothly. Located close to the center of the city, Aabpara market is the place where everything is available for all and sundry at a very reasonable and affordable price.

BLUE AREA:

Shopping in Islamabad can be a very different experience if you wander around the Blue Area, Kohsar Market (F-6), Super Market (F-6) and the Jinnah Super (F-7). Blue Area is the business hub of Islamabad interspersed with classy shops selling branded wear.  HangTen, Textilion, United Colors of Benetton and Lawrencepur offer casual wear, footwear and accessories. Beautiful and expensive home furnishings and interior decorators also have a strong presence in Blue Area with latest fabrics and designs to transform your homes and offices. Most of these shops are very expensive and charge astronomical prices for their wares.

 A wide array of popular bakeries and sweet shops like Rahat Bakery, Jamil Sweets, Nirala, Fresco and United Bakery are located here. Packed with mouth watering, eye popping, delectable goodies, these bakeries do a roaring business regardless of time and season. Shops selling top-of-the-notch fitness machines, electric goods and expensive crockery are also found in the Blue Area.

SUPER MARKET (F-6):

Super Market in F-6,

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