FAIR TRADE PAKISTAN
Gulshan Bibi, Sabeena Ahmed and Nazia Shahid and family
Interview and visit to Gulshan Bibi's house Haripur, Pakistan
January 2012
I fulfilled a life time ambition to visit Pakistan December 2011 and February 2015 and met the only two fair trade certified organisations in Karachi and Rawalpindi.
I also conducted interviews with a government official and non profit organisations who are working towards implementing the ten principles of fair trade. Each organisation has a dual role and purpose;
1. to support rural artisans establish and develop strong sustainable projects and
2. revive traditional skills and techniques.
Mrs Gushan Bibi displaying her hand embroidered shawl
I completed producing and editing a series of short films and a documentary to create awareness for fair trade in Pakistan.
I feel very honoured and humbled to be representing the most inspirational ladies and artisans around the world.
Introduction - SAARC Business Association for Home Based Workers
SABAH Pakistan is membership based company improving & linking home based traditional skilled women.
A beautiful wall hanging displaying the members of
Sabah Pakistan
SABAH PAKISTAN HAS BEEN A MEMBER OF THE WORLD FAIR TRADE ORGANIZATION FOR OVER 30 YEARS.
Ladies sewing at the SABAH PAKISTAN head office Rawalpindi
A poster explaining a fair wage and prosperous future in URDU
GULSHAN BIBI
Gulshan Bibi is one of the most extraordinary women I have ever had the opportunity to meet. She is a business woman, mother, social activist and inspiration for all.
She became a widow at a young age and started to embroider clothes in her town of Haripur.
I visited her beautiful house which was built from the proceeds of selling her hand embroidered products.
Samina Bibi Founder of SABAH PAKISTAN visited Haripur 30 years ago and decided to support Gulshan Bibi and retail her products in Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Samina Bibi sold all Gulshan Bibi's embroidered products and returned with the profits.
She then encouraged Gulshan Bibi to persuade other women in Haripur to establish a co-operative and raise awareness for fair trade, fair wages much to the annoyance of men who weren't supportive and opposed the women.
Over the years the men realised that these courageous women have brought economic prosperity to the area and tourists are a good source of income.
The ladies have built a large school and train other ladies in the rural villages.
I cannot express my adoration for this woman.
She welcomed me into her home and I met with her daughters and grand children.
There was an electricity power cut, hence the darkness in the interview.
It was very cold outside.
I hope to visit Gulshan Bibi again soon.
INTERVIEW WITH GULSHAN BIBI
MY SUMMARY OF THE INTERVIEW WITH GULSHAN BIBI FOR OGUNTE
INTERVIEW WITH FAIRTRADE AND NGO's KARACHI, PAKISTAN
I have attached interviews with Fairtrade and NGO's I visited during December January 2011/12 and February/March 2015 below for you to watch at your leisure.
I conducted interviews at the following organisations.
THE DOMINION TRADERS
SABAH PAKISTAN
THE RA'ANA LIAQUAT CRAFTMEN'S COLONY
THE HOME BASED WOMEN'S WORKERS FEDERATION
KAARVAN CRAFTS - PRIDE PAKISTAN
AL FALAH TRUST AND EMBROIDERY PROJECT
INTRODUCTION - THE DOMINION TRADERS
Fairly traded Marble and Onyx Producers
The Dominion Traders have been promoting the principles of fair trade in Pakistan since 1947.
I had the good fortune of interviewing Mr Syed Fahad Ali, Chief Executive Officer and his team of talented artisans when I visited their offices and factory, December 2011.
Since it's inception the organisation has supported approximately 60 employees who are treated with the utmost love and respect. Employees receive fair wages, are employed in good working conditions and are provided with medical care.
The Little Fair Trade Shop's interview with Syed Fahad Ali CEO of The Dominion Traders.
The Little Fair Trade Shop's interview with Younis Inayat. Businessman and Senior Fair Trade Artisan working with The Dominion Traders, Pakistan.
THE LITTLE FAIR TRADE SHOP (2011) - DOCUMENTARY
You an watch Mr Syed Fahad Ali's interview at 2 minutes
and 35 seconds
I hope to post the new interviews recorded February 2015 with Mr Inayat and Mr Syed Fahad Ali soon.
The Dominion Traders artisans with Syed Fahad Ali
INTRODUCTION - THE RA'ANA LIAQUAT CRAFTMEN'S COLONY
Income Generation Programme
The Ra'ana Liaquat Craftmen's Colony was founded by Begum Ra'ana Liquat, 1954.
I visited their inspirational headquarters and observed training workshops where ladies were taught to produce beautiful up-cycled products.
Mrs Nisreen was happy to share her story and work experiences.
It was wonderful to learn how the income generation programme had empowered her and given her the opportunity to supplement her income by designing crochet products.
I hope to upload the new interview with Mrs Nisreen recorded February 2015 and other lady artisans soon.
video with Mrs Nisreen 2015 (tba)
Interview with Haseena conducted February 2015
Hand embroidered Balochi kurtey (long blouses) by Haseena
Interview with Haseena conducted February 2015
THE LITTLE FAIR TRADE SHOP (2011) - DOCUMENTARY
You can watch the interview with Ms Selwa Habib Managing Committee Director at 14 minutes and 30 seconds
INTRODUCTION - THE HOME BASED WOMEN'S WORKERS FEDERATION
The Home Based Women's Workers Federation works with over 4600 members in Quetta (Balochistan) and Hyderabad and Karachi (Sindh).
It's main aim is to advocate and lobby for the rights of home based women workers in Pakistan.
The Federation provides training such as embroidery, leather production and jewellery and fashion design.
Ladies proficient in their chosen skills are selected to mentor and train ladies in their local areas and campaign for a decent living wage by negotiating fair prices through collective bargaining.
HBWWF hopes to develop international partners who can provide assistance with marketing, advertising and product development.
Dedicated campaigner and General Secretary Zehra Khan explained,
'We are working for the rights of home based workers in Pakistan and are lobbying with the government to accept them as workers.'
INTERVIEW FEBRUARY 2015
After a 4 year absence I had the privilege and honour to revisit the ladies at the HBWWF at their new headquarters in Karachi.
It was lovely to talk with Mrs Jamila and Zehra Khan again.
This interview was conducted before my rebranding hence the green butterfly and strapline.
I did not write the subtitles and I understand that there are grammatical errors and incorrect subtitles in the film.
I hope to amend this version as soon as I am able.
Interview recorded with Ms Zehra khan and Mrs Jameela February 2015
FAIRTRADE DOCUMENTARY RECORDED 2011
Fairtrade documentary featuring Zehra Khan and ladies at
4 minutes and 40 seconds
I have been poorly this year hence the delay in editing other interviews with several home based workers.
I hope to upload photographs and videos of both visits soon.
Thank you for your patience.
Ahan is a non profit company created by the Pakistani Industrial Corporation in 2006.
It has 4 offices based in Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta and Karachi.
It aims to provide employment for small marginalised craftsman and artisans around Pakistan.
It works to revive traditional handicrafts through skill enhancement, product development, technological output, quality control and market and financial support.
Interview with Mr Shakeel Abro conducted December 2011
I hope to upload Mr Abro's 2015 interview as soon as I receive it.
video here
THE LITTLE FAIR TRADE SHOP (2011) - DOCUMENTARY
You can watch Mr Shakeel Abro's interview at
10 minutes 50 seconds.
KAARVAN CRAFTS - PRIDE PAKISTAN
Kaarvan's mission is to be a fairtrade market leader by producing and retailing affordable and sophisticated hand crafted products in local and export markets.
It provides employment opportunities and marketing and advisory services to women and girls in low income communities so that they can enhance their economic realities.
Interview with Kaarvan Shop Manager Mr Sajid Khan
THE LITTLE FAIR TRADE SHOP (2011) - DOCUMENTARY
You can watch Mr Sajid Khan's interview at 8 minutes and
32 seconds
I did not have the opportunity to visit the Karachi shop during my last visit to Pakistan during 2015 but hope to interview Aysha Saifuddin next time.
INTRODUCTION
AL FALAH TRUST AND EMBROIDERY PROJECT
The Al Falah Trust and Embroidery Project was founded by Mrs. Shahina Siddiqui in 1995.
The organisation supports disadvantaged and marginalised women from, Taluka, Mirpur, Sakhro, Thatha (Tatta) in the province of Sindh.
Traditional embroidery and home accessories are produced using traditional patterns and colours that promote their rich heritage which would otherwise be lost or forgotten.
I hope to upload Dr Irum Rizwan's interview conducted 2015 as soon as I receive it.
video here
Dr Irum's guest book comments
Dr Irum Rizwan's comments in The Little Fair Trade Shop
guest book
THE LITTLE FAIR TRADE SHOP (2011) - DOCUMENTARY
You can also watch Dr Siddiqui's interview at 16 minutes 40 seconds
Thank you for watching.
I hope these interviews have encouraged you to support fairtrade producers in Pakistan.
Sabeena
Further Reading and Links
THE DOMINION TRADERS
SABAH PAKISTAN
THE RA'ANA LIAQUAT CRAFTMEN'S COLONY
THE HOME BASED WOMEN'S WORKERS FEDERATION
KAARVAN CRAFTS - PRIDE PAKISTAN
AL FALAH TRUST AND EMBROIDERY PROJECT
My right shoulder is still very painful and inflamed again and I have struggled to type this blog.
Despite my pain I managed to attend a webinar and record videos about PIE Community members expressing an interest to join.
I celebrated World Cancer Day 2024 by creating a poster in Urdu and English.
I participated in a School for Social Entrepreneur webinar with Chris Hines MBE.
Translation in Urdu
My sister sent me links to webinars about Great Mental Health Day which took place 26th January 2024.
I am grateful to all the guest speakers and trainers who took time out of their busy schedules to talk about Suicide Prevention, Bereavement and Write to Speak Your Poetry.
Translation in Urdu
میری بہن نے مجھے عظیم دماغی صحت کے دن کے بارے میں ویبینرز کے لنکس بھیجے جو 26 جنوری 2024 کو ہوا تھا۔
میں ان تمام مہمان مقررین اور ٹرینرز کا مشکور ہوں جنہوں نے اپنے مصروف شیڈول میں سے وقت نکال کر خودکشی کی روک تھام، سوگ اور اپنی شاعری لکھنے کے بارے میں بات کی۔
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year to all my fair trade friends and family around the world.
My right shoulder is still very painful and inflamed again and I have struggled to type this blog.
Despite my pain I managed to attend a webinar and record videos about PIE Community members expressing an interest to join.
I joined a couple of sessions about Mental Health and Suicide Training.
These sessions were organised by THRIVE LDN.
Translation in Urdu
نیا سال مبارک ہو!
دنیا بھر میں میرے تمام منصفانہ تجارتی دوستوں اور اہل خانہ کو نیا سال مبارک ہو۔
میرا دایاں کندھا اب بھی بہت تکلیف دہ ہے اور دوبارہ سوجن ہے اور میں نے اس بلاگ کو ٹائپ کرنے کے لیے جدوجہد کی ہے۔
اپنی تکلیف کے باوجود میں ایک ویبنار میں شرکت کرنے اور کمیونٹی کے ممبران کے بارے میں ویڈیوز ریکارڈ کرنے میں کامیاب ہو گی جو اس میں شامل ہونے میں دلچسپی کا اظہار کرتے ہیں۔
میں دماغی صحت اور خودکشی کی تربیت کے بارے میں کچھ سیشنز میں شامل ہوے۔
ان سیشنز کا اہتمام THRIVE LDN نے کیا تھا۔
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I'm Sabeena Ahmed owner and creator of The Little Fair Trade Shop. I've been an individual associate member of the World Fair Trade Organization since 2011 and together with my artisans I bring you a bespoke collection of ethically sourced fashion & gifts.
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