Pakistani second-hand online clothing platform rakes in $1.2 million in foreign funding 

The undated photo shows the team of Swag Kicks, an online second-hand clothing marketplace, posing for photograph in Karachi, Pakistan. (The Swag Kicks)
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Updated 16 February 2023
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Pakistani second-hand online clothing platform rakes in $1.2 million in foreign funding 

  • As Pakistanis struggles with decades-high inflation, ‘Swag Kicks’ provides second-hand clothes at affordable rates
  • Import of second-hand clothing is on the rise globally as consumer preferences shift toward circular fashion

KARACHI: Swag Kicks, an online second-hand clothing marketplace based in Karachi, has raised $1.2 million in a seed funding round led by foreign venture capitals (VCs) and local angel investors, the startup’s co-founder said on Tuesday. 

According to its website, Swag Kicks is the “go-to sustainable fashion platform” for millennials and generation Z Pakistanis. The startup says it has served over 100,000 customers and has over 25,000 listed items from sneakers, bags and apparel to accessories on its website. 

Angel investors are entities that invest capital into startups or businesses for equity. The funding round that closed this week was led by i2i Ventures, with participation from TechStars Toronto, CrossFund, and other notable angel investors. 

“The funds would be utilized to build up inventories and stocks, expand market outreach, and introduce innovative technology to manage growing demand,” Nofal Khan, co-founder of Swag Kicks, told Arab News.

The startup was founded in 2019 but as the coronavirus pandemic dealt severe blows to businesses around the world, it had to scale its business activities. However, the business slump ended and Swag Kicks bounced back by raising $200,000 in pre-seed funding in early 2021. 

The startup says is the first of its kind to attract foreign funding into second-hand clothes. 

“We are the first to attract foreign funding, we have digitized Lunda (second-hand clothing) in Pakistan and selling used clothing and streetwear called “pre-loved fashion” to customers across Pakistan,” Khan said. 

“We are selling original global big brands at the lowest prices, which otherwise are not accessible for average Pakistanis,” he added. 




The picture posted by a Pakistani second-hand online clothing platform Swag Kicks on March 30, 2022, shows a person holding a shoe during a photoshoot. (Swag Kicks/Facebook)

The startup brings global sneaker and streetwear to Pakistan by sourcing “pre-loved fashion” from across the world, washing and disinfecting the items before listing them on the platform. 

“Our platform serves millennials and Gen-Zs so that they could express themselves through this form of circular fashion amid its growing demand,” Khan said. 

Swag-Kicks features pre-use versions of renowned brands such as Adidas, Nike, Timberland. Jordans, Puma, Levis and others. The funding round is being seen by venture capitalists as an important development as Pakistan attempts to stave off serious macroeconomic challenges. 

“International funding for startups is definitely still drying up in 2023, which is not helped by Pakistan’s macroeconomic environment,” Kalsoom Lakhani, co-founder and general partner at i2i Ventures, told Arab News. 

“However, all these problems present enormous opportunities — Swag Kicks and plays in the circular fashion space are a great example of this,” she added. Lakhani said thrifting and second-hand clothing become popular choices when consumer spending declines. 

“For us as Pakistan-focused VC funds, it’s about investing in companies that are interesting because of this environment, that reflect changing attitudes,” she added. 

Pakistan saw a massive funding rush in 2021 when startups attracted around $360 million and fell to around $350 million in 2022, according to various funding sources. 

The import of secondhand clothing is on the rise around the world as consumer preference shifts toward circular fashion. 

Second-hand marketplaces are growing, with estimates predicting the global market will grow 127 percent by 2026 to an estimated $218 billion. This, according to New York-based investment management company Morgan Stanley, is in part due to realization among consumers that their individual consumption habits can have significant impact on the planet. 

Pakistan continues to remain one of the largest importers of used clothes as inflation surges more people are pushed toward poverty. During the last fiscal year, around 36 percent of Pakistan’s population was living below the poverty line, which is projected to increase to 42.5 percent this year as incomes decline, unemployment increases and prices increase rapidly in the country, according to Pakistani economist, Dr. Hafiz Pasha. 

Swag Kicks expects to tap into the problems that rising inflation and shrinking spending have caused to the customers by increasing its market penetration. 

“The secondhand clothing market in Pakistan is large, but the supply side is very fragmented,” Misbah Naqvi, Co-founder and general partner at i2i Ventures, told Arab News. 

“The Swag Kicks team is able to operate at this scale because of the elaborate back end they’ve built, including an in-house warehouse Software as a Service (Saas) product that has tremendous potential,” Naqvi added. 

Pakistan imported 978,699 metric tons of preloved or worn clothing worth over $433 million during the last fiscal year, more than 33.5 percent more in terms of quantity and 40 percent in terms of value when compared to previous year, according to official data. 


Pakistan hosts Bangladeshi academic delegation under OIC’s scientific cooperation framework

Updated 29 min 10 sec ago
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Pakistan hosts Bangladeshi academic delegation under OIC’s scientific cooperation framework

  • Vice chancellors of Bangladesh universities met counterparts from top 15 Pakistani universities
  • Once a single country, Pakistan and Bangladesh have begun slowly rebuilding diplomatic ties

ISLAMABAD: A seven-member delegation from Bangladeshi universities is currently visiting Pakistan to deepen academic and scientific cooperation between the two countries, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation’s coordinating body for scientific collaboration said on Thursday.

Pakistan and Bangladesh, once a single country before the bloody 1971 war, have slowly begun rebuilding ties after last year’s political upheaval in Dhaka, which saw the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajid, long viewed as critical of Islamabad and aligned with New Delhi.

She fled to India by helicopter after her administration’s downfall in August 2024, with Dhaka now seeking her extradition.

The ties between India and Bangladesh’s interim government have become frosty, creating space for Islamabad and Dhaka to re-engage after decades of limited contact.

“The forum brought together a seven-member Bangladeshi delegation comprising vice chancellors and senior representatives from leading universities, and vice chancellors from 15 top Pakistani universities, which are part of COMSTECH Consortium of Excellence,” the OIC-COMSTECH said in a statement, adding that academics from Bangladesh are visiting Pakistan from June 16-21.

The visiting delegation termed their ongoing visit as “historical, highly productive and promising” for academic collaboration between Bangladesh and Pakistan.

Vice chancellors from Pakistani and Bangladeshi universities held discussions aimed at deepening academic and scientific cooperation, it added.

The meetings focused on expanding collaboration in key areas including student and faculty exchange programs, scholarship opportunities, joint research initiatives apart from sharing academic expertise.

The participants of the meeting also agreed that each university would appoint a focal person to ensure effective follow-up on commitments made during the visit.

Bangladesh High Commissioner to Pakistan Iqbal Hussain Khan, the chief guest at the event, praised COMSTECH for offering scholarships, organizing the visit and facilitating meaningful academic exchanges between higher education institutions of the two countries.

In May, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar agreed to strengthen bilateral relationship with Bangladesh and maintain high-level contacts with its leadership.

Pakistan’s government launched a new program in December 2024 through which it will provide fully funded scholarships to 300 Bangladeshi students.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met Bangladesh Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus in New York last year at a ceremony hosted by the Bangladeshi leader to mark the completion of 50 years of Bangladesh’s membership in the United Nations.

Both sides had agreed to forge stronger ties and enhance bilateral cooperation in various fields during their meeting.


Five groups submit qualification documents in Pakistan’s renewed push to privatize PIA

Updated 19 June 2025
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Five groups submit qualification documents in Pakistan’s renewed push to privatize PIA

  • Eight interested parties, including private firms and a military-backed group, initially submitted expressions of interest
  • Pakistan’s Privatization Commission will evaluate the qualification documents before advancing to the next stage

KARACHI: Pakistan has received qualification documents from five investor groups seeking to acquire a controlling stake in its loss-making national carrier, the Privatization Commission said on Thursday, as the government advances a long-delayed divestment plan.

The privatization of state-owned entities has been mandated by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as Pakistan works to implement structural reforms and stabilize its economy, which has recently shown signs of macroeconomic improvement.

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), in particular, has survived for years on government bailouts, placing further strain on the country’s already cash-strapped finances.

The government invited expressions of interest in April for a stake ranging from 51 percent to 100 percent in Pakistan International Airlines Corporation Limited (PIACL), along with management control. The final deadline for submitting Statements of Qualification (SOQs) was today.

“The Privatization Commission received Expression of Interest (EOI) from ... eight interested parties,” the official statement said, adding that “five interested parties submitted SOQs by the deadline today.”

Among the groups that submitted documents are a consortium comprising Lucky Cement, Hub Power Holdings, Kohat Cement, and Metro Ventures; a consortium led by Arif Habib Corporation with Fatima Fertilizer, City Schools and Lake City Holdings; Air Blue Limited; Fauji Fertilizer Company Limited, which is a military-backed firm; and a consortium including Serene Air, Augment Securities, Bahria Foundation, Mega C&S Holding and Equitas.

The government had previously attempted to privatize PIA in 2024 but called off the process after receiving a single bid of Rs10 billion ($36 million) from Blue World City — far below the Rs85 billion ($305 million) floor price.

The sale was scrapped, citing the airline’s weak financial position and unattractive terms for buyers.

PIA has long been a fiscal liability, with operational earnings repeatedly offset by heavy debt servicing. However, following restructuring, it reported an operating profit of Rs9.3 billion ($33.1 million) in April, its first in 21 years.

“The SOQs submitted by the parties will be evaluated by the Privatization Commission against the prequalification criteria,” the official statement informed. “The prequalified parties will proceed to the next stage where they will be given access to the virtual data room to undertake buy-side due diligence.”


Pakistan draws five potential buyers for national air carrier

Updated 19 June 2025
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Pakistan draws five potential buyers for national air carrier

  • The interested parties include business groups and a military-backed firm
  • The sale is seen as a test of Pakistan’s ability to shed loss-making state firms

ISLAMABAD: In its efforts to sell its struggling national airline, Pakistan has received expressions of interest from five parties, including business groups and a military-backed firm, the Privatization Ministry said on Thursday.
The bids were submitted ahead of a June 19 deadline to acquire up to 100 percent of Pakistan International Airlines, which has accumulated over $2.5 billion in losses in roughly a decade.
Still, following a major restructuring, it posted its first operating profit in 21 years in the year through June 2024.
The sale is seen as a test of Pakistan’s ability to shed loss-making state firms and meet conditions of a $7 billion International Monetary Fund bailout. It would be the country’s first major privatization in nearly two decades.
Eight parties submitted their expressions of interest, but only five of them provided documents of qualification, the ministry said in a statement.


Pakistan calls for Israel’s accountability for Iran war after army chief’s meeting with US president

Updated 19 June 2025
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Pakistan calls for Israel’s accountability for Iran war after army chief’s meeting with US president

  • The foreign office condemns Tel Aviv’s ‘unjustified and illegitimate aggression’ during weekly foreign office briefing
  • It says Islamabad has always advocated for diplomatic solutions, will support meaningful efforts toward de-escalation

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s foreign office on Thursday called on the international community to end Israel’s ongoing war against Iran, condemning Tel Aviv for launching an “unjustified and illegitimate” attack and demanding its accountability.

The statement came hours after Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, attended a luncheon at the White House hosted by US President Donald Trump, a rare engagement that lasted longer than scheduled.

Trump, who has publicly backed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and stated Iran will not be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons, confirmed that the Israel-Iran conflict was discussed during his meeting with Munir.

While he did not share further details, Pakistan has maintained its longstanding position that Israel’s war with Iran threatens to destabilize the region.

“Pakistan strongly condemns unjustified and illegitimate aggression by Israel against the Islamic Republic of Iran,” foreign office spokesperson Ambassador Shafqat Ali Khan said at the outset of his weekly press briefing.

“Pakistan stands in resolute solidarity with the people of Iran and unequivocally denounces these blatant provocations, which constitute a grave danger and a serious threat to the peace, security, and stability of the entire region and beyond, with serious implications,” he added. “The international community and the United Nations bear the responsibility to uphold international law, stop this aggression immediately and hold the aggressor accountable for its actions.”

Khan pointed to a joint statement released earlier this week by 20 countries, including Pakistan, calling for an immediate halt to hostilities in the Middle East and urging de-escalation.

The statement underscored the urgent need to establish “a Middle East Zone Free of Nuclear Weapons and Other Weapons of Mass Destruction,” applying to all states in the region without exception.

It further called on all Middle Eastern countries to join the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

Asked whether the United States sought any “special favor” from Pakistan during the army chief’s meeting with Trump, Khan said both nations share “strong and multifaceted relations” with “a full agenda of interaction and cooperation.”

“So, I don’t know how to characterize or define a special favor,” he remarked.

The spokesperson reiterated that Pakistan has consistently advocated for diplomatic solutions to international conflicts and would support any meaningful initiative in that direction.


Locals in Pakistan’s Hunza Valley call for action against hotels ‘polluting’ Attabad Lake

Updated 19 June 2025
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Locals in Pakistan’s Hunza Valley call for action against hotels ‘polluting’ Attabad Lake

  • After a foreign vlogger’s video went viral, officials sealed part of Luxus Hunza Attabad Lake Resort, imposed $5,300 fine
  • Resort denies allegations of dumping sewage into the lake, says such actions “would be like desecrating our own house”

KHAPLU, Gilgit-Baltistan: Local social activists in Pakistan’s northern Hunza Valley are demanding strict action against hotels operating around Attabad Lake for failing to meet environmental standards, after a video by a foreign vlogger alleging untreated sewage discharge into the lake went viral on social media this week.

Attabad Lake was formed in 2010 when a massive landslide blocked the Hunza River, killing 20 people and submerging villages and a stretch of the strategic Karakoram Highway that links Pakistan to China. Over the years, the lake has become a major tourist attraction, driving a boom in hotel construction along its banks.

Following the viral video by travel vlogger George Buckley, officials from the Gilgit-Baltistan Environmental Protection Agency (GBEPA) and local administration inspected the hotel’s premises and sewage facilities on Tuesday.

“We have fined Rs 1.5 million ($5,300) on [Luxus Hunza Attabad Lake Resort] hotel after the inspection,” Khadim Hussain, a director at the EPA, confirmed to Arab News.

“A portion of the resort has been sealed for the period of three months. And if they don’t develop a waste treatment plan within the stipulated period of time, the [whole] facility will be sealed and imposed more fines.”

He added: “The action against the hotels that are not complying [with] environmental standards continues in the region before the video of a foreign vlogger.”

Residents say pollution caused by unchecked hotel expansion is now threatening Attabad Lake’s clear blue water, which draws thousands of tourists every year.

“Solid waste is becoming a big issue in the surrounding areas of Attabad Lake and especially on river banks due to the construction of hotels,” Shahid Hussain, a local social activist and politician, told Arab News by phone.

“When the level of the water [in the lake] increases during summer, the level of sewage waste in soakage pits also rises and merges into the lake. This is deteriorating the natural beauty of Attabad Lake.”

He stressed:

“The environmental protection authority has fined one hotel. And this is not a permanent solution. The administration and EPA should give a proper mechanism to protect nature and clean water.”

Another activist, Zahoor Ilahi, echoed the call for tougher enforcement.

“Initially, when locals started to build miniature resorts and hotels, the municipal and district administration teased the locals in the name of NOC [No Objection Certificate],” he said.

“Later big investors came to the region and built big hotels, and there is no treatment plant for sewage waste. If the [Luxus] hotel has no treatment plan, then the whole resort should be sealed instead of imposing a fine on them.”

Ilahi warned that untreated wastewater could also threaten local drinking water projects:

“A project is underway to supply drinking water from Attabad Lake for central Hunza under a federal PSDP project. So, the protection of clean water is very much needed. If the government fails to protect the clean water, it will multiply the miseries of locals.”

In a Facebook post, the Luxus Resort rejected the allegations.

“Attabad Lake formed in 2010. Before Luxus Hunza opened its doors to tourists in 2019, no one had experienced this majestic lake up close. This lake has been home for us for the last six years. It is the reason and purpose of our existence. To dump sewage water into the lake would be like desecrating our own house. We have never nor will we ever dump a single liter of waste water into Attabad Lake,” the hotel management said.

It added that the cloudy appearance of the lake near the hotel was due to natural sediment from mountain streams mixing with the clear lake water, not sewage discharge.

Arab News attempted to contact a representative of Luxus Hotel Hunza for further comment but did not receive a response by the time of filing this report.