ISLAMABAD, 14 October, 2026 (Ghufran): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has expressed displeasure over the slow progress of the Gemstones Pilot Project and delays in implementing development measures for the sector, directing authorities to prepare a time-bound action plan on a priority basis. Chairing a meeting to review progress in the gemstone sector, the prime minister stressed that the development of the gemstones and jewellery industry was a priority and that further delays would not be tolerated. He called for establishing a comprehensive value-addition ecosystem covering gemstone mining, cutting and polishing, noting that Pakistan suffers annual losses worth billions of dollars due to substandard mining practices and smuggling. Emphasising the country’s abundant natural resources, he directed officials to take urgent measures to increase exports by utilising Pakistan’s extensive gemstone and mineral reserves. He also called for developing a “Brand Pakistan” identity for gemstones and jewellery and preparing a roadmap for the early establishment of Centres of Excellence to promote value addition. The prime minister instructed the relevant authorities to remove all obstacles to pilot projects and the development of model gemstone mines to ensure their timely completion. During the meeting, he received a detailed briefing on gemstone exploration, cutting and polishing, value addition and export preparations. Officials informed the meeting that 4.8 kanals of land had been transferred in Hussainabad, Skardu, for a Centre of Excellence, with the required funds available and construction expected to begin soon.
Land had also been identified for similar projects in Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Islamabad, while an alternative facility would be made fully operational in Islamabad until the permanent centre was completed. The meeting was further informed that geological mapping of identified gemstone-bearing areas had been completed and eight new blocks in Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had been identified for further exploration. An allocation of Rs1 billion had been earmarked under the Public Sector Development Programme for the sector’s development during the current fiscal year. To facilitate exporters, export facilitation desks had also been established at 80 branches of 10 banks across seven cities. The prime minister directed the relevant authorities to prepare a comprehensive action plan for establishing Centres of Excellence for gemstones and jewellery, along with measures for the sector’s development, and present it next week. The meeting was attended by Federal Ministers Jam Kamal Khan, Dr Musadik Masood Malik, Ahsan Iqbal, Ahad Khan Cheema, Attaullah Tarar and Ali Pervaiz Malik, Prime Minister’s Adviser Haroon Akhtar, Minister of State Bilal Azhar Kiani and senior officials concerned.