Muhammad Asghar is a skilled handloom weaver based in Islampur village, Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. He has been engaged in handloom weaving for over 15 years and belongs to a family with more than 50 years of experience in the traditional shawl weaving industry. He learned the craft from his father and grew up in a household where weaving was an integral part of daily life. 

Having completed basic education, Muhammad Asghar started assisting in handloom operations at an early age and gradually mastered the entire weaving process. He is highly skilled in setting up handlooms from scratch, preparing and processing wool yarn, and weaving a wide range of woolen shawls and patti (traditional woolen fabric). 

He typically works 10–12 hours a day on weaving and loom operations. Depending on the design and complexity, he can produce 2–3 men’s woolen shawls per day, with each shawl requiring approximately 4–5 hours to complete due to the intricate border patterns woven along the edges. For plain ladies’ shawls, which require less design work, he can produce 4–5 shawls per day. 

Personal Message: 

“Shawl weaving is a skill passed down through generations in my family. I am proud to continue this tradition and create products by hand. This craft provides a dignified livelihood and enables me to support my family while preserving our cultural heritage.”