Tucked away in Peshawar’s old city is Pakistan’s biggest market for precious and semi-precious gemstones. Namak Mandi is a neighbourhood of contradictions – cluttered and noisy and coated in a dull beige dust but secreting away a technicolour treasure trove of crystals. In recent years, because of war and uncertainty, the the market has attracted some shady clientele, people looking to use its riches to gloss over their illegal activities. For the traders and gem cutters in Namak Mandi, the dream of striking it rich has turned into a nightmare.
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