Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed displeasure over delays in a pilot project for Pakistan’s gemstone sector and stalled development initiatives.
Chairing a meeting on Wednesday, the prime minister said developing the gemstone and jewelry sector was a priority and that delays would not be tolerated.
He called for an ecosystem covering gemstone mining, cutting, polishing and value addition, saying poor mining practices and smuggling cost Pakistan billions of dollars annually.
Sharif directed officials to develop a “Brand Pakistan” strategy for gemstones, modeled on initiatives in other countries in the region, and accelerate plans to establish centers of excellence for value addition.
He also ordered the removal of obstacles delaying pilot projects and model gemstone mines.
Officials briefed the meeting on progress in a pilot project covering gemstone exploration, cutting, polishing, value addition and export preparation.
They said 4.8 kanals of land had been transferred for a center of excellence in Hussainabad, Skardu, with funding available and construction expected to begin soon.
Land has also been identified for projects in Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Islamabad. Officials said the Islamabad center would become fully operational at an alternative location until its permanent facility is built.
The meeting was told that geological mapping of identified gemstone areas had been completed, with eight new blocks in Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa identified for further exploration.
The government has allocated Rs. 1 billion under the Public Sector Development Programme for the sector this year. To facilitate exporters, export facilitation desks have also been established at 80 branches of 10 banks across seven cities.
Sharif directed officials to submit a comprehensive, time-bound plan next week covering the establishment of centers of excellence and other measures to develop the sector and increase exports.
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