Abu Bakkar is a young handloom artisan from Islampur village, Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He has been actively involved in handloom weaving for the last 5 years. Although his father serves in the police force and is not directly associated with weaving, Abu Bakkar was inspired by his uncle and grandfather, whose family has been involved in the shawl weaving business for nearly 60 years. 

In addition to his basic education, he holds a diploma in Information Technology. Despite having opportunities in other fields, he chose to pursue weaving because of his strong connection to the family tradition and local craftsmanship. He specializes in weaving ladies’ plain shawls and ladies’ patterned shawls, with particular expertise in incorporating woven designs directly into the fabric. 

Working approximately 10 hours each day, he can produce 2–3 intricately designed ladies’ shawls daily, each requiring around 4–5 hours of weaving. Plain ladies’ shawls require less time and allow him to complete 4–5 pieces per day. 

Personal Message: 

“I learned this craft from experienced weavers in my community and from observing my family members who have practiced it for generations. I enjoy creating high-quality handmade shawls and hope to see more young people continue this traditional craft in the future.”