Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif convened a high-level meeting on Monday to discuss strategies for advancing Pakistan’s precious stones industry, emphasizing the enhancement of exports and the adoption of international standards in mining and processing.
Highlighting the vast untapped potential of the country’s natural resources, particularly gemstones, the prime minister called for increased value addition through the use of advanced processing technologies. He commended the initiatives led by Special Assistant Haroon Akhtar aimed at progressing the sector.
During the session, officials presented plans to establish three Centres of Excellence focused on the cutting, polishing, and processing of gemstones for jewelry production. These centres are proposed to be located in Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Islamabad. They will also serve as training hubs to cultivate skilled professionals aligned with global industry standards.
In a significant development, the prime minister instructed the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives to formulate a detailed strategy to boost exports of processed gemstones. He emphasized the importance of transparency in project implementation and ensuring timely completion.
The meeting also covered ongoing efforts to introduce modern, waste-minimizing mining techniques, alongside training programs designed for local communities. Furthermore, Pakistan is preparing to host its inaugural international gemstone exhibition in July 2026, with technical cooperation being established with Sri Lanka and China to support this event.
