Tourist Mohammad Imran examines a handmade sheep-wool shawl being sold by Bilal, a shop owner in Islampur, Swat valley. All photos: Tariq Ullah for The National
Shehzad, 25, weaves a shawl in the courtyard of his home
Ali weaving in the small town with a population of only 25,000
The sound of traditional handlooms known as khadi can be heard throughout the town
Wooden bobbins called mako hold threads of various colours
Naik Mohammad, 45, is busy weaving a shawl in Islampur
The artisan weaves three shawls a day, which earn him $1.70 apiece
The shawls are hung up to dry and will be ironed before going to market
Hazir Gul, the founding executive director of the Islampur Cottage Industries Association
Shawls for sale in a shop in Islampur
Bano Bibi in a shop in Islampur. Weaving shawls 'involves 37 people in the production process, from herding sheep to making wool, weaving and designing'
Wool yarn is made through a traditional spinning machine
Pakistan’s Swat valley weaving industry still intact despite hardships - in pictures
