Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed officials to develop a new initiative called ‘Brand Pakistan’ to promote the country’s precious stones and gems in international markets.
A meeting was held in Islamabad to review the development of Pakistan’s gemstone industry and plans to increase exports.
Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan has large reserves of precious stones and minerals, but the country is not using these resources to their full potential.
He warned that poor mining methods and smuggling cause losses worth billions of dollars every year.
The prime minister called for a complete system covering mining, cutting, polishing and preparing gemstones for export.
He also directed authorities to remove obstacles delaying projects and model mines.
Furthermore, he stressed the need to establish Centres of Excellence to improve gemstone processing and increase their market value.
Rs1 Billion allocated for gemstone sector
Officials briefed the prime minister on progress in gemstone exploration, processing and export projects, during the meeting.
They said 4.8 kanals of land had been transferred for a Centre of Excellence in Hussainabad, Skardu.
Funding is available, and construction is expected to begin soon.
Land has also been identified for similar projects in Islamabad and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
Meanwhile, the Islamabad centre will operate from a temporary location until its permanent building is completed.
Officials said geological mapping had been completed in selected gemstone areas.
Eight new blocks have been identified for further exploration in Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The government has allocated Rs1 billion under the Public Sector Development Programme for the sector this year.
In addition, export support desks have been established at 80 branches of 10 banks across seven cities.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed officials to present a complete plan next week to speed up these projects and strengthen gemstone exports.