Introduction
Karkhano Market in Peshawar, Pakistan, is a bustling commercial hub with a rich history and strategic significance. Located near the historic Khyber Pass, this market has long been a vital trade center, especially due to its proximity to Afghanistan. The name “Karkhano,” derived from the Pashto word for “factories,” reflects the market’s origins as an industrial area filled with small-scale workshops.
Karkhano Market gained prominence during the Soviet-Afghan War in the 1980s, as the influx of refugees and goods from Afghanistan boosted local trade. Today, it stands as one of Peshawar’s largest markets, known for its diverse range of products, including electronics, perfumes, textiles, and traditional Pashtun attire like shalwar kameez and Peshawari sandals.
The market is particularly famous for its smuggled goods, offering electronics and foreign clothing at prices lower than elsewhere in Pakistan. This reputation for affordability attracts thousands of shoppers daily, including traders from across the region who come for wholesale buying.
Karkhano Market also reflects a strong Afghan influence, with many Afghan traders operating stalls that offer unique handicrafts, carpets, and traditional clothing. Despite facing security challenges due to its location near tribal areas, the market remains a vibrant and essential part of Peshawar’s economy, providing employment to thousands and significantly contributing to the region’s commerce.
Locals passing by as smoke rises from fresh kebabs grilling along a bustling street.
Skilled chefs grill assorted meat skewers over open flames, the air thick with smoke.
Shoppers walk through the smoky market street, where fresh meat is grilled and sold.
A cook stands by his makeshift kitchen, surrounded by steaming pots and a tandoor oven.
A man tends to a large grill, skewers lined with juicy meats cooking over hot coals.
Fresh vegetables are on display under makeshift tents, offering a colorful variety to shoppers.
A busy produce stall with fruits and vegetables draws in locals for their daily shopping.
Local transport vans await passengers as drivers chat nearby in the market’s busy atmosphere.
Men gather around a large pot, preparing a local dish as customers eagerly await their orders.
Cooks prepare fried snacks in a large cauldron, the market bustling with activity around them.
Bustling street food stall under a bridge, with crowds of people and busy traffic.
Vendor passionately selling beverages amidst the market’s lively atmosphere.
A vibrant salad and snack stall, attracting curious onlookers and customers.
Elderly man and fellow vendors offering a variety of traditional snacks.
A vendor proudly displaying his large pots of colorful, flavorful dishes.
Young man stirring a large pot of curry, surrounded by hungry customers.
Crispy fried snacks being prepared and sold to eager buyers.
A local vendor standing by his dessert cart, ready to serve customers.
A crowded street scene with vehicles and pedestrians navigating the market.
Groups of people engaged in conversations under the flyover, market life bustling around them.
Two men serving fresh pickles at a roadside stall, surrounded by containers of cold beverages.
A street vendor carefully ladling out a hearty chickpea curry, with other dishes in large pots beside him.
A man attentively stirs a pot in a traditional open kitchen, where flatbreads are being prepared on hot stones.
A vendor proudly displaying a large mound of dates, alongside fresh greens under a vibrant market canopy.
A fish seller showcasing a variety of fresh fish neatly arranged on a bed of greens under bright market lights.
