For Naseem Akhtar, a widowed mother of six from Haripur, a city in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, what began as a simple way to support her family has grown into a lifeline for hundreds of local women. Through her skill in traditional knitting and embroidery, Naseem has managed to sustain her household while creating a network of artisans who preserve cultural heritage and gain financial independence in the process. With her skilled fingers, she has kept the craft alive.
Initially, Naseem started working in handicrafts to support her husband in managing household expenses. Despite having no formal education and limited job opportunities for women she inherited her talent in traditional crafts from her mother and grandmother.
“I have enjoyed knitting warm woollen garments and making cushion covers since childhood. After marriage, household expenses increased with additional costs like school fees for our daughters. So, I relied on my skills and after finishing household chores continued knitting and sewing to help sustain our household,” she shared in an interview with Daily Times.
As a mother of five daughters and one son, Naseem is determined to provide them with an education. Her eldest daughter completed her MBBS in China while another daughter is also enrolled in medical college. Although Naseem herself could not pursue an education due to financial and societal constraints, she is committed to helping her daughters attain higher education and carve out a place for themselves in society.
Naseem’s venture began modestly with stalls displaying her handmade items, where she gradually learned her customers’ preferences. With time, she saved enough money to include other skilled women from underprivileged areas which not only increased recognition for her work but also expanded its reach to international markets.
“Today, about 250 women from villages around Haripur work with me. My designs draw on the region’s cultural heritage, enhancing their appeal”, she added.
The handmade shawls, sheets, embroidered shirts, scarves and other items crafted by these village women have garnered international acclaim often taking days to complete. Local and international markets have a strong demand for these products and Naseem has exhibited them at international fairs, where they received considerable praise.
Maria Mumtaz, Naseem’s second-eldest daughter, told Daily Times that she is studying in medical college and also helps her mother with traditional Phulkari embroidery work. She manages social media and oversees around two hundred and fifty workers alongside her mother many of whom are from underprivileged areas where job opportunities were scarce.
“My mother reaches out to these villages to provide work while creating a source of income for these people and supporting them in this way. At the Lok Virsa events, my mother received awards for her expertise in handmade Jisti embroidery. She also teaches Adde ka Kaam (a type of wool embroidery) for making cushions and Phulkari embroidery techniques. My mother has taught all of us sisters these skills as well. Alongside our studies, my sisters and I also help with the work,” Maria added.
The women working with Naseem, along with their families hold her in high regard for her compassionate approach. Naseem is also dedicated to teaching other women the craft, enabling them to generate their own income.
Samreen Ahmed, one of Naseem’s associates shared that she produces embroidered bed sheets, cushion covers, clothes, shawls and crochet items. During winter, when demand surges, she works extra hours while in summer she focuses on embroidered clothes and women’s shawls which are highly appreciated by customers. After receiving free training from Naseem, Samreen now continues this work from home while contributing to her household expenses.
“Many women like me are supporting their families by making clothes, shawls and other items, but the payment we receive is minimal,” Naseem said. She hopes that if the government could provide interest-free loans to these hardworking women, their skilled hands could produce even finer work.
Shaista Khan, a member of National Assembly of Pakistan from Haripur and an advocate of handicrafts, emphasised that women in Haripur’s villages can contribute significantly to economic development through home-based work. She believes that with the right resources, opportunities and effective promotion of their work, Pakistan could generate substantial foreign exchange through this sector.