Survey Shows Nearly Half of Pakistanis Purchase Second-Hand Clothing

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A recent survey reveals that 48% of Pakistanis bought second-hand clothing, such as sweaters and coats, from Landa Bazaars (flea markets) last year, driven by economic pressures and practicality. This article explores the surge in Pakistan’s second-hand clothing market, its implications for affordability, and the challenges of unregulated imports, emphasizing the need for economic reform.

The Gallup & Gilani Pakistan survey, conducted from March 7 to March 22, 2025, with 779 adults across urban and rural areas, found that 90% of Pakistanis prefer local markets for clothing, with second-hand options gaining traction due to rising poverty and inflation. Muhammad Usman Farooqui, General Secretary of the Pakistan Second-hand Clothing Merchants Association (PSHCMA), told Arab News in 2021, “The use and import of second-hand clothes is rising due to high inflationary trends,” a trend that persists as Pakistan’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) remains elevated. Imports of used clothing hit 433,651 metric tons in 2023-24, a 17% increase, generating over $40 million in revenue, per the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI).

Economic hardship, with 39% of Pakistanis living in poverty according to the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE), drives this shift. Shoppers, especially in colder northern regions, turn to Landa Bazaars for affordable, high-quality imported jackets and blankets. “Jeans at Rs100 in flea markets cost Rs900 elsewhere,” said Karachi vendor Ismail Khan, highlighting the price gap. However, the influx of unregulated textile waste, often mislabeled as second-hand clothing, burdens Pakistan’s environment, contributing to landfill overflow and greenhouse gas emissions, per PIDE.

The second-hand market’s growth, while a lifeline for the poor, underscores Pakistan’s economic woes. Heavy import duties and a depreciating rupee inflate costs, yet demand persists, meeting 30% of the poor’s clothing needs. This reliance on imports reflects a failure to bolster local industries or address poverty’s root causes. As the European Union (EU) pushes for sustainable textile trade, Pakistan must reform its policies to balance affordability with environmental responsibility, ensuring flea markets remain a haven for the needy without exacerbating ecological harm.