Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday chaired a high-level meeting focused on the development of Pakistan’s precious stones sector, with an emphasis on increasing exports and upgrading mining and processing standards to align with international benchmarks.
During the meeting, the prime minister highlighted the country’s significant but largely untapped potential in natural resources, particularly gemstones. He stressed the need for value addition through modern cutting, polishing, and processing techniques to enhance export competitiveness in global markets.
Officials briefed the prime minister on a major initiative to establish three Centres of Excellence dedicated to gemstone processing and skill development. The proposed centres will be located in Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Islamabad. These facilities are expected to play a key role in training skilled manpower and introducing internationally recognized standards in the sector.
Shehbaz Sharif directed the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives to formulate a comprehensive strategy aimed at boosting exports of processed gemstones. He also emphasized transparency in execution and the timely completion of all development projects.
The meeting was further informed about ongoing efforts to modernize mining practices, reduce material waste, and provide training opportunities for local communities involved in the sector.
In a related development, Pakistan is preparing to host its first international gemstone exhibition in July 2026. Officials also confirmed technical collaboration with Sri Lanka and China to support expertise sharing and sector development.
