Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Monday, said that Pakistan had been blessed with abundant natural resources, including precious stones, and stressed that the sector offered strong potential to increase exports using local resources.
The prime minister chaired a high-level review meeting focused on aligning Pakistan’s gemstone mining and processing sector with international standards and enhancing exports, including the establishment of three Centers of Excellence across the country.
The prime minister stressed that transparency must remain a key element in the establishment of the centers of excellence.
The prime minister assigned the Ministry of Planning the task of formulating a comprehensive strategy to boost exports of processed gemstones. The ministry was expected to present the plan soon, PM Office Media Wing said in a press release.
He also appreciated the efforts of his Special Assistant Haroon Akhtar and his team for promoting the development of the sector, terming their initiatives commendable.
The meeting was attended by Ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Dr. Musadik Malik, Jam Kamal Khan, Ali Pervaiz Malik, Minister of State Bilal Azhar Kayani, Special Assistant Haroon Akhtar, Governor State Bank Jameel Ahmad, chief secretaries of Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir and other senior officials.
During the briefing, participants were informed about ongoing efforts to introduce modern mining and gemstone processing techniques.
The meeting was informed that three centers of excellence were being established to provide international-standard training in cutting, polishing, and preparing gemstones for use in jewelry.
Pieces of land had already been identified for the establishment of such centers in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, while work was underway to identify a site in Islamabad.
The meeting was further informed that Pakistan would host its first international gemstone exhibition in July 2026. Additionally, initiatives were underway in collaboration with Sri Lanka and China to train skilled manpower in specialized gemstone processing.
The officials also briefed the prime minister on measures taken by the ministry of petroleum to promote mining practices that minimize wastage.
It was highlighted that joint projects were being launched in consultation with local communities, and around 1,000 individuals were being trained in internationally compliant mining techniques.
The prime minister was also briefed on the timelines and progress of the projects and he directed the ministry of planning to expedite the preparation of a comprehensive roadmap to increase exports from the sector.
