Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said that Pakistan is rich in natural resources, including precious stones, and this is a sector in which exports can be increased from local resources.
A review meeting was held under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister on the establishment of 3 Centers of Excellence in the country to bring mining and processing of precious stones in Pakistan in line with international standards and increase their exports.
The Prime Minister said that Allah Almighty has enriched Pakistan with a wealth of natural resources, including precious stones, and this is a sector in which exports can be increased from local resources. The steps taken by Special Assistant Haroon Akhtar and his team for the development of the sector are commendable.
The Prime Minister said that the element of transparency should be given importance in the establishment of Centers of Excellence. The steps taken by Special Assistant Haroon Akhtar and his team for the development of the sector are commendable. The element of transparency should be given importance in the establishment of Centers of Excellence.
The Prime Minister has tasked the Ministry of Planning with formulating a roadmap for increasing exports of Pakistani gemstones after processing.
The Ministry of Planning will soon formulate a comprehensive roadmap and submit it to the Prime Minister.
The meeting was briefed on the introduction of modern methods of processing and mining of gemstones.
The meeting was informed that the government is establishing three Centers of Excellence for cutting, carving and making gemstones suitable for adornment in jewelry.
Land has been identified for the centers in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. In addition, work is underway to identify land for the establishment of a center in Islamabad.
The meeting was informed that training will be provided for international standard processing of precious stones in these centers of excellence.
The meeting was informed that the first international exhibition on precious stones is also being organized in Pakistan in July 2026. In addition, steps are being taken to train manpower for processing specific precious stones in cooperation with Sri Lanka and China.
The meeting was also briefed on the steps taken by the Ministry of Petroleum for mining precious stones with minimum wastage.
The meeting was informed that collaborative projects are being launched in this regard by taking the local population into confidence. One thousand people are also being trained in mining precious stones in accordance with international standards.
The Prime Minister was also briefed on the stages of the projects and their completion timelines. The Prime Minister directed the Ministry of Planning to formulate a comprehensive action plan to increase the sector’s exports and submit it soon.
The meeting was attended by Federal Ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Dr. Mosaddiq Malik, Jam Kamal Khan, Ali Pervaiz Malik, Minister of State Bilal Azhar Kayani, Special Assistant Haroon Akhtar, Governor State Bank Jamil Ahmed, Chief Secretaries of Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir and relevant senior officials.