PM informed: 3 Centres of excellence being established to process gemstones

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was informed on Monday that the government is establishing three Centres of Excellence to prepare precious stones for cutting, polishing, and jewellery embedding, in a bid to boost the country’s presence in the global gems market.

The announcement came during a review meeting on the mining and processing of precious stones, alignment with international standards, and strategies to increase exports.

The meeting, chaired by the prime minister, also included detailed discussions on the planning and establishment of the three Centres of Excellence.

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Officials briefed the prime minister that land has already been identified for two centres in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu & Kashmir, while a site in Islamabad is still under consideration for the third.

They said the proposed centres will provide training in processing gemstones to international standards.

Officials also indicated that Pakistan will host its first international exhibition on precious stones in July 2026.

Plans are underway, in collaboration with Sri Lanka and China, to provide specialised training for manpower in the processing of certain gemstones, they added.

Speaking at the meeting, Prime Minister Sharif highlighted the country’s abundant natural resources, including its rich deposits of precious stones. “This is a sector where exports can be increased using local resources,” he said.

He commended the efforts of the special assistant to the prime minister on industries Haroon Akhtar and his team, emphasising that transparency should guide the establishment of the centres.

The prime minister also directed the Ministry for Planning and Development, headed by Ahsan Iqbal, to prepare a comprehensive roadmap to increase exports of processed Pakistani gemstones. The ministry is expected to present the plan shortly to the prime minister.

The meeting also reviewed modern methods for mining and processing precious stones, and examined initiatives by the Petroleum Ministry aimed at reducing waste during extraction.

Officials said collaborative projects with local communities are underway, and that 1,000 individuals are currently being trained in international-standard gemstone mining techniques.

Federal ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Musadik Malik, Jam Kamal Khan, Ali Pervaiz Malik, Minister of State Bilal AzharKiani, Special Assistant Haroon Akhtar, State Bank of Pakistan Governor Jameel Ahmed, and the chief secretaries of Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu & Kashmir attended the meeting, along with other senior officials.

The government’s focus on developing the gemstone sector forms part of a broader strategy to diversify Pakistan’s export portfolio.

By enhancing local capacity in cutting, polishing, and jewellery embedding, authorities aim to increase the value of exports while providing training opportunities that could benefit communities in resource-rich regions.

Officials stressed that adopting international standards in mining and processing, along with strengthening institutional frameworks, could help Pakistan gain a more competitive position in the global gems market.

The forthcoming international exhibition in July 2026 is expected to further showcase the country’s gemstone potential and attract foreign investment and expertise.

The Centres of Excellence and related initiatives are part of a wider effort to modernise the gemstone industry, improve efficiency, promote sustainable practices, and support economic growth and employment in local communities.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026