ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday said Pakistan could significantly increase its exports by developing the precious stones sector at the local level and aligning mining and processing with international standards.
Chairing a meeting on the promotion of the sector, the prime minister said Pakistan was rich in natural resources, particularly precious stones, and stressed the need to fully utilise this potential for economic growth.
He directed the relevant departments to ensure transparency and complete ongoing projects at the earliest.
Several key decisions were taken during the meeting, including the establishment of three Centres of Excellence for cutting, shaping and processing precious stones for use in jewellery.
Officials informed the meeting that land had already been identified for centres in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, while selection of land for a third centre in Islamabad was under way.
The prime minister directed the Ministry of Planning to prepare a comprehensive action plan to enhance exports of processed precious stones and bring the sector in line with international standards.
The meeting was also informed that Pakistan’s first international exhibition on precious stones would be held in July 2026, while workforce training initiatives were being carried out in collaboration with Sri Lanka and China.
