ISLAMABAD:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday called for accelerating the development of Pakistan’s gems sector to boost exports and foreign exchange earnings, ordering authorities to fully exploit the country’s reserves and complete the Islamabad Gems Center by August 2027.
Chairing a high-level meeting at the Prime Minister House to review promotion of the gems and minerals sector, the Prime Minister ordered the engagement of internationally renowned experts.
The experts will be hired for the construction of the proposed gem centers in Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office said.
The Prime Minister stressed that the implementation of the policy framework must be ensured with the help of global experts.
“Value addition in the gemstone industry is the key to increasing our national exports,” the Prime Minister remarked, further directing that these centers should be equipped with advanced technology and modern machinery.
During the briefing, it was revealed that a site on Constitution Avenue in Islamabad had already been identified for the center.
The facility will offer value-added services of international standard, certification, incubation center and commercial center.
To facilitate exports, offices of State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) will also be established in the premises.
The meeting was informed that four consultative sessions were held with stakeholders regarding the recently approved precious stones policy. Additionally, work on a scientific roadmap for geolocation of gemstone deposits has begun.
The Prime Minister stressed the need for close collaboration between the federal and provincial governments, as well as the administrations of GB and AJK.
