Key Points
- PM Shehbaz orders a time-bound action plan by next week
- Rs1 billion allocated this year for gemstone sector
- Geological mapping identifies eight new blocks for further exploration in three provinces and regions
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday ordered a time-bound plan to accelerate gemstone sector development and exports, expressing displeasure over delays in pilot projects.
He also directed authorities to remove obstacles to establishing model mines and centres of excellence.
The prime minister said Pakistan was losing billions of dollars annually due to poor mining practices and gemstone smuggling, calling for an integrated system covering exploration, mining, cutting, polishing and value addition to increase export earnings.
Chairing a review meeting in Islamabad, he directed the relevant authorities to prepare a comprehensive action plan by next week. The action plan must have clear deadlines for establishing centres of excellence and completing ongoing projects.
Sharif also called for developing a “Brand Pakistan” for gemstones, similar to initiatives in other countries in the region, and urged the government to use the country’s mineral resources to expand exports.
The meeting was briefed on progress under a pilot project covering gemstone exploration, cutting, polishing, value addition and export preparation.
Officials said the authorities have transferred 4.8 kanals of land in Hussainabad, Skardu, for a proposed centre of excellence, with funding available and construction expected to begin soon.
The government has also identified land in Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Islamabad for similar facilities.
READ ALSO: Can Pakistan Turn Its Mineral Riches Into Real Economic Power?
Officials briefed the PM that they would make the Islamabad centre operational at an alternative location until its permanent facility was built.
The prime minister directed authorities to remove all obstacles to the pilot projects and model mines and complete them without further delays.
Pakistan exploration and export facilitation
The meeting was told that geological mapping of identified gemstone-bearing areas had been completed.
Eight new blocks in Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had been identified for further exploration and gemstone discovery.
The government has allocated Rs1 billion, equivalent to about $3.6 million, under the Public Sector Development Programme for the sector this year.
The government has also set up export facilitation desks at 80 branches of 10 banks across seven cities, according to the briefing.
The proposed centres of excellence are intended to support value addition by developing skills and gemstone facilities within Pakistan rather than relying primarily on the export of unprocessed stones.
Sharif said the country needs a complete ecosystem for gemstone mining and processing, stressing that delays in implementing development measures would not be acceptable.
Pakistan has significant deposits of precious and semi-precious stones. However, the government aims to capture more value from the sector by improving mining, processing, branding and access to export markets.
Pakistan is known for minerals such as emeralds, rubies, topaz, aquamarine, tourmaline and various forms of quartz.
However, much of the sector’s potential remains untapped because of traditional mining methods, inadequate processing facilities, limited access to modern technology, weak branding and smuggling.
Developing local facilities for cutting, polishing, grading, certification and jewellery manufacturing could help Pakistan export higher-value products instead of relying mainly on raw or minimally processed stones.
