Facts on this page were checked in September 2026. Sources are listed with each figure. Fiscal years in Pakistan run from July to June.
The short answer
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Known for | The capital, with Rawalpindi, a hub for air cargo, trading houses and gems |
| Main export products | Gemstones, Handicrafts, Himalayan salt |
| How goods leave | Air cargo from Islamabad International Airport. Containers by road or rail to Karachi |
| Province | Islamabad Capital Territory |
| Do you buy our goods? | No. We are your US partner, not a distributor. You sell directly to US buyers. |
Islamabad exports: the numbers
| Figure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Share of Pakistan's exports through the Islamabad Air Freight Unit | 3.42 percent, mostly surgical goods and medicines | Pakistan Single Window (PSW) assessment report, as reported by ProPakistani, 2024 |
What Islamabad makes for the US market
The twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi are home to trading companies, pharmaceutical makers, craft sellers and gem dealers. Gems from Gilgit-Baltistan and Swat, and pink salt from the Salt Range, are traded through the capital region.
The twin cities are close to the Salt Range and to the gem and craft trade of the north. Many Islamabad businesses are trading companies rather than factories, which fits our model well: we help you present your range to US buyers under one US company.
Where the factories are
| Area | What is there |
|---|---|
| I-9 and I-10 Industrial Areas, Islamabad | Light manufacturing, food, pharmaceuticals and printing |
| Hattar Special Economic Zone (Haripur) and Rashakai SEZ (Nowshera) | Larger industrial zones in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, within reach of the capital |
How goods leave Islamabad
Islamabad International Airport handles air cargo, and the M-2 and M-1 motorways link the capital to Lahore and Peshawar. Surgical instrument makers from Sialkot and Wazirabad sometimes route air shipments through Islamabad.
Business bodies in Islamabad
- Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI)
- Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI)
We name these organizations to help you find local support. It does not mean we have a relationship with them.
How we help Islamabad exporters
- Register your US company with a Chicago address and US phone number
- Build your English website and catalog with US sizes and prices, built to be found on Google
- Set up Amazon USA or a Shopify store for retail sales
- Find US buyers by cold outreach, send samples from Chicago and follow up every quote
- Check buyers before you ship on credit
You never need to travel. We work by phone, video call and email, in English and Urdu. Chicago is 10 to 11 hours behind Pakistan, so US buyer questions are answered during the US working day.
How to start
- Tell us about your products. Use our quote form or call us.
- Get a plan and price. We reply by email with the package that fits and the full cost.
- We set up your US presence. Company, website, catalog and store, depending on your plan.
- We start selling. Outreach to US buyers begins and you get a report every month.
Common questions
Do you work with Islamabad trading companies?
Yes. Trading companies that export goods from many factories can use one US company, one website and one sales office for their whole range.
Can we meet in person?
We work mainly by video call, phone and email. We tell you in advance if we plan to be in Pakistan.
Do you work with trading companies in Islamabad?
Yes. Trading companies that buy from makers across Pakistan fit our model well, as long as the export is in your company's name and you can supply consistent quality.