Govt plans three ‘Centres of Excellence’ to upgrade Pakistan’s gemstone industry

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday chaired a high-level meeting to review plans for developing Pakistan’s precious stones sector, with a focus on boosting exports and aligning mining and processing practices with international standards.

During the meeting, the prime minister underscored the country’s untapped potential in natural resources, particularly gemstones, and called for greater value addition through modern processing techniques. He appreciated efforts led by Special Assistant Haroon Akhtar in advancing the sector.

Officials briefed the meeting on plans to establish three Centres of Excellence dedicated to cutting, polishing, and processing gemstones for use in jewellery. Proposed locations include Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Islamabad. These centres will also provide specialised training to develop skilled manpower in line with global standards.

The prime minister directed the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives to prepare a comprehensive strategy to enhance exports of processed gemstones. He stressed the need for transparency in project execution and timely completion.

The meeting was also informed about ongoing efforts to introduce modern mining practices with minimal waste, alongside training programmes for local communities. Additionally, Pakistan is set to host its first international gemstone exhibition in July 2026, with technical collaboration underway with Sri Lanka and China.