“We have also hosted several Indian designers who have a great following in Pakistan,” she says. Designers like Tarun Tahiliani, Rohit Bal, Manish Malhotra and Suneet Varma have their designer wear stocked at various renowned outlets in Pakistan. “Ritu Kumar’s bridal creations are a rage in Karachi and surrounding areas,” she adds.

As for the men, Gunbir Singh, vice-chairman, CII, Punjab, says, “While there is something common in the dress and culture on both sides of the border, it’s the intricacies in art work that set the two apart,” he says. “Pakistani stuff is rough and tough, quite liked for kurta pyjamas here,” he said. Om Prakash Lati Shah, a trader, who often commutes between India and Pakistan, says a lot of men in India have a penchant for Pakistani salwar kameez.

Amritsari shawls add warmth to Indo-Pak relations

Pashminas, jamawars and embroidered shawls manufactured in Amritsar are finding their way into the Pakistani market in large numbers. Though seasonal by nature, the shawl industry of Amritsar depends mainly on orders from Pakistan and other international orders from USA, Middle East, Japan, Australia and Europe.

The once-thriving industry may have been hit hard by the unwarranted policies of the government here, but has found solace in Pakistan, one of the biggest markets for its wares.

Yogesh Mehra, a shawl manufacturer, says that initially Kashmiri shawls dominated the market, but persistence and hard work of the manufacturers here, coupled with innovations in the business, have been able to make a place for the shawls from the holy city in the Pakistani market.

... contd.