Crafts from 100 Pakistani villages on display under one roof at Karachi Expo Centre

Celebrating the craftsmanship of over 100 villages across Pakistan, the 25th Daachi Arts and Crafts Exhibition opened at Karachi Expo Centre on Saturday. The exhibition showcased an array of artistry in the form of pottery from Hala and Multan, handcrafted woodwork, embroidered textiles, brassware, kilims, basketry, folk toys, traditional silver and bead jewellery, organic and preserved fruit products from Hunza, puppet shows, pottery making for children, an art gallery, and organic food prepared by home-based cooks.

Visitors flocked to the exhibition, particularly drawn to the Hala pottery stall, where Ali Raza displayed beautiful pottery pieces, emphasizing the handmade nature of the art form. Meanwhile, Muneeba Farooq's stall featured a stunning blouse with gold threads and embroidered peacocks, priced at Rs85,000, which seemed to be out of reach for many. Meanwhile, Saiqa Raza's stall at the 'Handmade Closet' drew a crowd, as she offered affordable, hand-embroidered clothes made with high-quality materials.

Among the stallholders was Ijaz Karim, who ran an ethnic jewellery stall selling rings, lockets, bracelets, and bangles to suit different budgets. Yusra Qasim, the owner of Khwaab by Yusra, stood out with her handmade jewellery, including pearl bracelets decorated with crochet roses, which were priced affordably at Rs300 each. Shamim Akhtar from Multan displayed camel skin lamps, some costing as low as Rs3,500 and others priced at Rs7,500, highlighting the craftsmanship of the Multan region.

Notable stalls included Mohammad Khalid Ansari's stall offering exquisite unstitched raw silk and chiffon block-printed suits, priced at Rs9,500 each, and Shanzay Baloch's Aries Attire, which offered embroidered kurtas and shirts for women's empowerment, ranging from Rs13,000 to Rs20,000. Akbari Abdul Ghafoor's stall featured handmade beads and silk thread kundan bangles designed by her and her daughters, priced under Rs1,000.

The exhibition continued to highlight various crafts, from colourful tie-and-dye suits by Rab Dino, priced at Rs4,000 each, to alphabet blocks, doll bedroom sets, and other furniture made by Tehreem Asad and her mother Lubna Asad, promoting education for toddlers. Rais Ahmed's store showcased metal serving dishes, drinking glass sets, and brass and copper bowls, with prices ranging from Rs3,000 to Rs15,000.

Daachi Foundation organizes this annual exhibition to support artisans across the country and preserve their skills. The Daachi Arts and Crafts Exhibitions provide a steady income to craftsmen and help keep their traditional skills alive. The stalls at the exhibition were offered gratis, and the event concluded on Sunday, September 13th, 2026.