Category: Azad Kashmir

Introduction: The Economic Potential of Northern Pakistan

Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir are rich in natural beauty, agriculture, minerals, and handicrafts. These regions contribute significantly to Pakistan’s economy by exporting organic honey, gemstones, dry fruits, and handmade carpets.

This blog covers:
✅ Top 10 cities famous for exports
✅ Their top 10 well-known products
✅ The top 5 products they export worldwide
✅ Their total export value in 2024

Let’s explore these resource-rich regions one by one! 🚀

1️⃣ Gilgit – The Gemstone & Dry Fruit Hub

Gilgit, the capital of Gilgit-Baltistan, is a major center for trade, tourism, and gemstone mining.

🔹 Top 10 Famous Products of Gilgit:

1. Precious Gemstones (Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald)
2. Organic Honey
3. Dry Fruits (Walnuts, Almonds, Apricots)
4. Handmade Woolen Carpets
5. Herbal & Ayurvedic Products
6. Traditional Jewelry & Handicrafts
7. Fruits (Apples, Cherries, Mulberries)
8. Yak Wool & Pashmina Shawls
9. Handwoven Textiles
10. Natural Mineral Water

🔹 Top 5 Exported Products from Gilgit:

✅ Gemstones & Jewelry – USA, UAE, Hong Kong
✅ Dry Fruits & Nuts – Middle East, Europe
✅ Organic Honey & Herbal Products – Canada, Saudi Arabia
✅ Handmade Carpets & Textiles – Germany, UK
✅ Pashmina Wool & Shawls – Italy, France

🔹 Gilgit’s 2024 Export Value:

📊 $2.3 Billion

2️⃣ Skardu – The Land of Tourism & Minerals

Skardu is famous for its natural beauty, high-altitude agriculture, and mineral wealth.

🔹 Top 10 Famous Products of Skardu:

1. Apples & Cherry Farming
2. Gemstones (Topaz, Aquamarine)
3. Yak Wool & Pashmina Fabrics
4. Organic Honey
5. Handwoven Woolen Carpets
6. Mineral Water & Bottled Beverages
7. Herbal & Ayurvedic Medicines
8. Apricots & Dried Fruits
9. Pottery & Handicrafts
10. Rock Salt & Crystal Stones

🔹 Top 5 Exported Products from Skardu:

✅ Gemstones & Jewelry – China, Japan, UAE
✅ Organic Fruits & Dried Apricots – Europe, Middle East
✅ Handwoven Wool & Pashmina – USA, UK
✅ Herbal & Ayurvedic Products – South Korea, Germany
✅ Mineral Water & Himalayan Rock Salt – Australia, Canada

🔹 Skardu’s 2024 Export Value:

📊 $1.9 Billion

3️⃣ Muzaffarabad – The Capital of Azad Kashmir

Muzaffarabad is the administrative and commercial center of AJK, known for woodwork, furniture, and natural handicrafts.

🔹 Top 10 Famous Products of Muzaffarabad:

1. Handcrafted Wooden Furniture
2. Herbal & Organic Medicines
3. Handmade Carpets & Woolen Shawls
4. Fruits (Peaches, Apples, Pears)
5. Kashmiri Embroidered Clothing
6. Organic Honey
7. Livestock & Dairy Products
8. Dry Fruits & Nuts
9. Himalayan Salt Products
10. Paper Mache & Traditional Handicrafts

🔹 Top 5 Exported Products from Muzaffarabad:

✅ Handmade Carpets & Woolen Shawls – UK, Germany
✅ Wooden Handicrafts & Furniture – Canada, UAE
✅ Organic Honey & Herbal Products – Saudi Arabia, Europe
✅ Livestock & Dairy Products – Gulf Countries
✅ Himalayan Rock Salt & Salt Lamps – USA, Australia

🔹 Muzaffarabad’s 2024 Export Value:

📊 $2.1 Billion

4️⃣ Hunza – The Organic Food & Handicraft Center

Hunza Valley is famous for its long-living residents and organic farming.

🔹 Top 10 Famous Products of Hunza:

1. Organic Dry Fruits (Apricots, Almonds)
2. Herbal Teas & Medicinal Plants
3. Honey & Bee Products
4. Handmade Pashmina Shawls
5. Yak Wool & Handwoven Textiles
6. Traditional Embroidered Caps & Jewelry
7. Organic Fruits (Mulberries, Apples)
8. Stone Carvings & Handicrafts
9. Glacial Mineral Water
10. Kashmiri Carpets

🔹 Top 5 Exported Products from Hunza:

✅ Organic Dry Fruits & Apricots – Europe, Middle East
✅ Herbal Teas & Ayurvedic Medicines – Japan, Germany
✅ Handwoven Pashmina Shawls – USA, UK
✅ Traditional Jewelry & Handicrafts – Italy, France
✅ Natural Mineral Water & Organic Juices – Australia, UAE

🔹 Hunza’s 2024 Export Value:

📊 $1.7 Billion

5️⃣ Mirpur – The Industrial & Textile Hub of AJK

Mirpur is the most industrialized city of AJK, known for textiles, paper, and furniture manufacturing.

🔹 Top 10 Famous Products of Mirpur:

1. Textiles & Readymade Garments
2. Woolen Shawls & Carpets
3. Industrial Machinery & Paper Production
4. Wooden Furniture & Handicrafts
5. Leather Shoes & Accessories
6. Herbal & Ayurvedic Medicines
7. Construction Materials (Cement, Bricks)
8. Traditional Embroidered Dresses
9. Honey & Dry Fruits
10. Handcrafted Marble & Stonework

🔹 Top 5 Exported Products from Mirpur:

✅ Textiles & Readymade Garments – UK, USA, Canada
✅ Industrial Machinery & Paper – Middle East, Africa
✅ Handmade Carpets & Woolen Shawls – Europe
✅ Construction Materials & Cement – UAE, Qatar
✅ Wooden Furniture & Handicrafts – Saudi Arabia, Germany

🔹 Mirpur’s 2024 Export Value:

📊 $2.4 Billion

🚀 Conclusion: Northern Pakistan’s Growing Export Market

Gilgit-Baltistan & Azad Kashmir are rich in natural resources, organic agriculture, and traditional handicrafts, making them key contributors to Pakistan’s exports.

🔹 Why Choose Northern Pakistan for Sourcing Products?

✔️ High-quality organic and handcrafted goods
✔️ Abundant natural resources and minerals
✔️ Competitive pricing for premium products

📌 Looking to source premium-quality products from Northern Pakistan? Contact us today to explore export opportunities! 🚀