Govt plans three centres of excellence to boost gemstone exports

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has said Pakistan is 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 on aligning Pakistan’s gemstone mining and processing sector with international standards and enhancing exports, including the establishment of three Centres of Excellence across the country.

He stressed that transparency must remain a key element in the establishment of these centres.

The prime minister assigned the Ministry of Planning the task of formulating a comprehensive strategy to boost exports of processed gemstones. The ministry is expected to present the plan soon, the PM Office Media Wing said in a press release.

PM also appreciated the efforts of his Special Assistant, Haroon Akhtar and his team for promoting the development of the sector.

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 efforts to introduce modern mining and gemstone processing techniques.

The meeting was told that three Centres of Excellence are being established to provide international-standard training in cutting, polishing, and preparing gemstones for use in jewellery.

Land has been identified for these centres in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, while work is underway to finalise a site in Islamabad.

Officials said Pakistan would host its first international gemstone exhibition in July 2026. They added that collaboration with Sri Lanka and China is underway to train skilled manpower in specialised gemstone processing.

The officials also briefed the prime minister on measures taken by the Ministry of Petroleum to promote mining practices that minimise wastage.

It was highlighted that joint projects are being launched in consultation with local communities, with around 1,000 individuals being trained in internationally compliant mining techniques.

The prime minister directed the Ministry of Planning to expedite the preparation of a roadmap to increase exports from the sector.