Quetta Souvenirs: Onyx, Baloch Embroidery, Rugs and Dry Fruit

The best Quetta souvenirs are onyx and green marble pieces, Baloch mirror-work embroidery, Pashtun embroidered clothing, hand-knotted Baloch rugs and, for something to eat, dry fruit. Most of it is sold along Jinnah Road and in the bazaars around Shahrah-e-Liaqat and Shahrah-e-Iqbal (Kandahari Bazaar). This guide covers what each item is, what to look for and how to bring it home; for the dry fruit itself, our Quetta dry fruit market guide goes into more detail.

We have not tested prices, so none are printed here. Quetta shops rarely fix them, and what you pay depends on the item, the shop and your bargaining.

Onyx and green marble

Reports put Pakistan's largest onyx reserves in Chagai district of Balochistan, and marble and onyx are worked into ashtrays, table pieces, bowls and bangles. In Quetta you will see green marble and onyx items in handicraft shops, in shades from white and pale green to dark green and brown.

Onyx is heavy and breakable, so choose small pieces if you are flying. Hold a piece up to the light: good stone glows with the veining, while dull or uniform pieces are likely to be a cheaper stone. Ask the shopkeeper to wrap it properly and, if you are travelling by road, pack it in clothes rather than a bag you will drop.

Baloch mirror-work embroidery

Mirror work is the best-known Baloch craft. Small mirrors and coloured thread decorate coats, cushion covers, hats, bags, shoes and tablecloths, and Balochi needlework is regarded as a heritage art. Wikivoyage names Liaqat Bazaar and the surrounding streets as places to find Balochi mirror work.

What to check:

• Stitching is dense and even, and the mirrors sit firmly with no loose edges.
• Thread colour is consistent on both sides of the piece.
• Hand-stitched work costs more than machine-embroidered copies. Ask which you are looking at, and judge by the back of the cloth.

Pashtun embroidery

Quetta has a large Pashtun population, and embroidered shirts, shawls and bags in Pashtun style are sold in the same bazaars. Embroidery on cloth and shawls in the Pashtun belt is called khamak locally. Cushion covers and small bags are the easiest things to carry home.

Baloch rugs

Quetta's bazaars are known for Balochi rugs, made by nomadic and semi-nomadic weavers and often described as more authentic than copies of Persian and Turkoman designs. Ask in the Liaqat and Suraj Ganj bazaar area, where the carpet shops are said to cluster.

If you plan to buy one, flip a corner and look at the knots on the back: a hand-knotted rug shows a clear pattern in the weave. Bargain patiently, check size and weight against your luggage, and ask the shop whether they can ship it. Rugs are the hardest souvenir to judge, so buy only from a shop you have looked at in daylight.

Dry fruit and fresh fruit

Quetta is known as Pakistan's fruit basket, with apples, apricots, plums, peaches, pomegranates and pistachios. Dry fruit is the easiest food souvenir: it lasts, packs flat and suits gifts. Buy from a shop that weighs in front of you and avoid pre-packed bags you cannot inspect. Our Quetta fruit season guide shows what is in season when.

How to bring it home

• Flying: wrap onyx in clothes in your checked bag and keep rugs and embroidery in the same case if they fit. Check your airline's weight limit.
• By road or rail: keep fragile pieces on your lap or on the seat, not in the boot.
• Gifts for family: embroidery and dry fruit travel best and need no special care.

For other cities, our Karachi souvenirs guide covers what to buy there.

Is it safe to go shopping in Quetta?

The UK government advises against all travel to Balochistan, including Quetta, and there have been serious attacks in the city in recent years. Pakistani residents and visitors still shop in the bazaars in daylight, but you should check local news and current police advice before you go, avoid crowded markets late in the day and keep your visit short. If you hold a foreign passport, your own government's advice may say not to travel, it can void insurance, and foreign nationals face restrictions on movement in Balochistan. Read our Quetta safety guide first.

Is it worth shopping for souvenirs in Quetta?

Yes, if you are already there. Dry fruit and Baloch embroidery are the best-value buys, and a small onyx piece is a lasting reminder. Rugs reward only buyers who know what to look for, so go with a modest budget and walk away if the price or the shop feels wrong. For things to see after shopping, see places to visit in Quetta.

Frequently asked questions