MUZAFFARABAD – A robust business of more than Rs2 billion a month takes place online in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
It goes without saying that Pakistan has a lot of potential in the e-commerce market due to the massive youth bulge.
The total value of goods which are sold and purchased in Muzaffarabad and its surrounding areas has surpassed Rs500 million. Thousands of citizens use the internet to place their orders online in the three divisions of Azad Kashmir – Mirpur, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot.
Data received by Dunya News from the income tax department shows most people buy garments, shoes, items of domestic use, decorative items and carpets online.
In order to deliver the orders, seven private courier agencies as well as Pakistan Post play a key role. Almost 1,000 employees and riders are connected with these agencies.
Syed Qadeer Fatemi, who has an experience of 28 years in a private courier agency, says more than 40 percent of online buyers are women. He says people of all ages use online facilities as a platform now, with children as young as 12 and elders till the age of 60.
He says the online business is growing with each passing day. It can be gauged from the fact that the courier companies hire almost three people every month to keep up with the ever-growing demand.
He says a courier agency pays Rs50,000 to an employee. In case of timely deliveries, employees are given stipends of Rs20,000.
Fatemi adds if the government plays its role by increasing the internet speed and reducing loadshedding, this business can even expand to Rs3 billion a month.
Meanwhile, it is also worth mentioning that dried fruits mainly walnuts, and precious hand-made articles are sold online to the four provinces through Muzaffarabad.
