Here from Pakistan, by design

Choose from home decor essentials, high fashion and exquisite handicrafts at the ongoing lifestyle exhibition, Aalishan Pakistan in New Delhi

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Hall numbers 14 and 18 in Pragati Maidan are buzzing with visitors as stalls after stalls offer exquisite salwar suits, sparkling jewellery and sequined shoes. This is part of Aalishan Pakistan, a lifestyle exhibition organised by Trade Development Authority of Pakistan. Visitors are all praise for the quality of design and handiwork but are a little wary of the exorbitant prices - a reminder of similarly priced items at Delhi's numerous Diwali Melas.

But since when has price ever been a dampener for shopping enthusiasts in Delhi? Despite the incessant rains that marked the inaugural event earlier this week, excited crowds have been thronging the exhibition. This is the second edition of the event in India, with the expo taking place once in two years. The exhibitors are laughing their way to the bank as the demand for haute couture, accessories and home decor items from Pakistan has been soaring high in the past couple of years. "This facet of economic relations constitutes an important aspect of our relations, as such activities not only create a win-win situation but also bring our people together," says Abdul Basit, Pakistan's High Commissioner to India.

Even though the event is being held amidst tight security, eager shoppers, mostly women, can be seen sifting through racks of lawn suits, saris, palazzos and kurtas. There is something for everyone and for "every shape", with a myriad of options, even for plus-sized women. This year, several leading fashion designers from across the border have put up their stalls here. These include Sania Maskatiya, Faiza Samee, Farnaz Mustafa and Deepak Perwani, among others. Some of the other popular retailers are Lala Textiles, Anna Ismail, Sana Safinaz and Orient. Prices for fabrics and readymade suits can range between Rs 2,000 and Rs 1,50,000. People are lapping it up and if you are a good bargainer, then it's a feast!

"There is huge demand for Pakistani products in India and I am sure we going to grow by leaps and bounds in the years to come," SM Muneer, chairman, Trade Development Authority of Pakistan told Business Standard. He added that the Indian High Commission in Islamabad worked even on weekends to ensure that visas were given out to the exhibitors, thus leading to participation by a 600-strong delegation.

Interestingly, the designers are not just busy selling their labels but are also guiding the visitors. Some direct buyers on what to buy according to their budget, while others conduct impromptu lessons on ways of draping a dupatta or how to pair silk palazzos with Pucci print kurtis.

"People are loving our designs," says designer Kokab Zia whose kurtis, suits and palazzos are selling like hot cakes, even though they are upwardly priced.

There are also stalls selling Pakistani handicrafts and artifacts made from marble and granite. Jewellery brands and shoe stalls are also making a fortune.

One can occasionally hear the microphones belting out information on the tax forms that the exhibitors and sellers need to submit regarding that day's sales. Although the exhibitors are tight-lipped about their profits, a visit to their stalls is enough to make one realise the good money being made here.

However, if you are foodie like me then you are not going to be happy about the fact that only one Pakistani food stall - Liza Pakistan - has been allowed to set up a stall here. The reason, according to an official, is that the visa department at the Indian High Commission in Pakistan did not allow many food items to be exhibited at the show.

The exhibition is on till September 14