Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chairs a meeting on gems sector in the federal capital. PHOTO: APPLICATION
ISLAMABAD:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday noted that Pakistan was blessed with abundant natural resources, including precious stones, and stressed that the sector offered strong potential to increase exports using local resources.
The Prime Minister chaired a high-level review meeting focused on aligning Pakistan’s gem mining and processing sector with international standards and enhancing exports, including through the establishment of three centers of excellence across the country.
He stressed that transparency must remain a key element in creating centers of excellence.
The Prime Minister directed the Planning Ministry to formulate a comprehensive strategy to boost exports of processed gemstones. The ministry is expected to present the plan soon, the media wing of the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement.
He appreciated the efforts of his special assistant Haroon Akhtar and his team in promoting the development of the sector, terming their initiatives commendable.
The meeting was attended by Ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Dr Musadik Malik, Jam Kamal Khan, Ali Pervaiz Malik, Minister of State Bilal Azhar Kayani, Special Assistant Haroon Akhtar, Governor State Bank Jameel Ahmad, Chief Secretaries of Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir and other senior officials.
During the briefing, participants were informed about ongoing efforts to introduce modern mining and processing techniques for precious stones.
It was informed at the meeting that three centers of excellence were being established to provide international standard training in cutting, polishing and preparation of gemstones for use in jewelry.
Land plots had already been identified for establishing such centers in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, while work was underway to identify a site in Islamabad.
