Ministry accused of neglecting gold jewellery export industry

ISLAMABAD: The country’s gold jewellery sector, being dealt by Sectoral Council for Gems and Jewellery has accused the Ministry of Commerce of neglecting Pakistan’s gold jewellery export industry for more than 13 years, warning that prolonged delays in resolving longstanding policy issues are undermining the sector’s export potential.

In a letter addressed to Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan, Chairman of the Sectoral Council Arif Patel expressed serious disappointment over the lack of progress on issues repeatedly raised by the jewellery export sector, particularly the proposed reduction in Value Addition Norms under SRO 760.

The Council said the gold jewellery industry had tremendous potential to generate foreign exchange, contribute to government revenues, create employment opportunities and stimulate economic activity, but had remained sidelined despite repeated meetings and written representations to the government.

The letter particularly questioned the delay in implementing an instruction given by the Commerce Minister during the meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Commerce held on September 5, 2026.

According to Arif Patel, the minister directed Waqas Azeem, Joint Secretary (Export-Import), to immediately submit a summary to the Federal Cabinet for approval of the proposed reduction in Value Addition Norms under SRO 760.

However, the Council pointed out that 55 days had elapsed since the minister’s direction without any visible progress on the matter.

It expressed surprise that even the minister’s explicit instructions had not resulted in movement on an issue that had remained pending for a considerable period.

“Surprisingly, two months have elapsed and there is no visible progress in the matter and your clear advice has also fallen on deaf ears,” the letter stated.

The Council said the continued delay reflected the lack of attention being given to the jewellery export industry despite its potential to contribute significantly to Pakistan’s export earnings.

It maintained that the sector had repeatedly approached all relevant government authorities, including the Commerce Minister, through meetings and written requests, but its concerns had remained unresolved.

The Council was constituted by the Ministry of Commerce to act as a catalyst between the gold jewellery export sector and the government and to facilitate resolution of issues obstructing export promotion.

However, it said the industry continued to face neglect despite the existence of an institutional mechanism specifically established to address its concerns.

The Council acknowledged the Commerce Minister’s efforts for export promotion but questioned why the jewellery industry had not received similar attention.

“We appreciate wholeheartedly your strenuous efforts for promotion of exports, but our limping export industry has no place in the eyes of the government,” the letter stated.

Seeking the minister’s personal intervention, the Council hoped that its latest representation would not meet the same fate as numerous previous communications submitted to the government.

The Council called for prompt action on the pending proposal concerning reduction of Value Addition Norms under SRO 760, which it considers important for addressing longstanding impediments to the promotion of gold jewellery exports.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026