Best Markets in Islamabad for Shopping

The best markets in Islamabad depend on what you want to buy. Jinnah Super Market in F-7 is the place for brands, jewellery and food, Kohsar Market in F-6 for cafes and boutiques, Karachi Company in G-9 and Aabpara in G-6 for everyday goods at lower prices, and the weekly bazaars for fruit, vegetables and second-hand finds. Islamabad is a planned city, so each sector has its own central market (a markaz) and the markets are spread out rather than in one old bazaar.

This guide compares them by what they sell, with one practical tip each. It also covers the closing times that changed in 2026, which affect every market on the list.

Closing times in 2026

Under austerity measures, the Islamabad administration has been limiting how late businesses can stay open. A notification of 11 June 2026 set shops, markets, malls, bazaars and department stores to close at 9 pm every day of the week, grocery stores and event venues at 10 pm, and restaurants and cafes at 11 pm, with takeaway and delivery exempt (Dawn, 11 June 2026). Earlier in the month the limit had been 8 pm.

These orders have changed several times this year. If you plan an evening of shopping, check the latest notification or ask your hotel, and reach the market well before dusk rather than counting on late-night hours you may have read about elsewhere.

Jinnah Super Market (F-7): brands, jewellery and food

F-7 Markaz, known as Jinnah Super Market, is the market most visitors end up in. It has the big Pakistani clothing and shoe brands, jewellers, cosmetics shops, and a long row of restaurants and dessert places. Safa Gold Mall stands in the middle of it, so you can mix a mall and street shops in one trip.

Tip: parking is the problem, especially on weekends. Use the parking at the back rather than double-parking on the front road. Our Jinnah Super Market guide covers it in more detail.

Kohsar Market (F-6): cafes over shopping

Kohsar Market is small, upscale and better known for eating than shopping. It has a cluster of cafes and restaurants, some with outdoor seating, plus a few boutiques. Come here for a coffee or dinner, not for bargains.

Tip: go on a weekday afternoon if you want a table without a wait. See our Kohsar Market guide.

Karachi Company (G-9): the budget market

G-9 Markaz is commonly called Karachi Company. It is a busy, crowded market known for lower prices on clothes, shoes, kitchenware and household items, with grocery stores, banks and hotels around it. It is also where an inter-city bus stand sits, which adds to the crowds.

Tip: prices are negotiable at small shops, so compare two or three before buying. Fixed-price brand outlets do not bargain. More in our Karachi Company Market guide.

Aabpara (G-6): the oldest market

Aabpara was purpose-built in 1960, when Islamabad was being constructed as the new capital, which makes it the city's oldest market. It sells garments, dry fruit, kitchen essentials and sports goods, and is popular with people buying for the household rather than for show.

Tip: Aabpara is close to Melody Market, so the two combine well, with shopping first and food in the evening (see the Melody Market guide).

Weekly bazaars and Karkhano

The weekly bazaars, known as Itwar or Sunday bazaars, are large open-air markets for vegetables, fruit, clothes, plants and second-hand goods. The H-9 one runs on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday. Read our Sunday Bazaar guide for days, sections and parking.

Karkhano Market is a different kind of place and has its own guide on this site.

Crafts and gifts

For handmade gifts, the craft shop at Lok Virsa on Shakarparian sells work from artisans across the country, and the museum is open Tuesday to Sunday. Our souvenirs guide says what to look for.

Planning a shopping day across markets

Markets in different sectors are not walkable from each other, so pick one or two rather than trying to see them all. F-6 and F-7 sit next to each other in the north of the city, which makes Kohsar and Jinnah Super an easy pair: shops in F-7 first, then a meal in F-6. G-6 (Aabpara and Melody) and G-9 (Karachi Company) are the practical pair for a budget day.

Aim to arrive in the late morning, when most shops have opened, and leave the eating for the evening. With the 9 pm closing rule for shops, an afternoon start gives you only a few hours, so do the shopping first and the meal last, since restaurants and cafes are allowed to stay open later.

Bargaining and prices

Do not expect fixed prices everywhere. Branded outlets and mall shops have price tags and do not negotiate. Small independent shops, street stalls and the weekly bazaars expect some bargaining, and a common approach is to ask the price, offer noticeably lower, and settle somewhere between. We do not print typical prices here, because they move with the season and with Eid, and figures from old guides are unreliable. Compare two shops before you commit to anything expensive, and ask for a receipt for jewellery.

Which market suits you?

• Short on time, want variety: Jinnah Super Market, with a mall and restaurants next door.
• A relaxed evening out: Kohsar Market.
• Tight budget, stocking up: Karachi Company or Aabpara, and a weekly bazaar if the day is right.
• A gift to take home: Lok Virsa's craft shop.
• Big malls and air conditioning: a mall suits better than any street market.

Tips for shopping in any Islamabad market

• Carry some cash. Small shops and food stalls often prefer it.
• Bargain politely at small shops, not at branded outlets with price tags.
• Markets are busiest on weekends and the days before Eid, when parking is very hard. Weekday mornings are calmer.
• Check the closing time for the day you are going, as the 2026 orders have moved several times.
• Ride-hailing or a taxi saves the parking search.

For more ideas, see the experiences page.

Frequently asked questions