Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif seeks a time-bound plan to develop Pakistan’s gemstone industry, establish centers of excellence and increase exports.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed displeasure over delays in preparing pilot projects for Pakistan’s gemstone industry and directed relevant authorities to present a comprehensive, time-bound action plan next week to accelerate sector development and increase exports.

Chairing a review meeting in Islamabad on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026, the prime minister emphasized that developing the precious stones and gemstones sector was a priority and that delays in implementing related initiatives would not be tolerated, according to a Prime Minister’s Office statement.

Sharif called for an integrated ecosystem covering gemstone exploration, mining, cutting, polishing and value addition to help Pakistan obtain greater economic benefits from its natural resources.

He said substandard mining practices and smuggling of precious stones cost the country billions of dollars annually. He also directed officials to take priority measures to increase exports by utilizing Pakistan’s extensive gemstone and mineral reserves.

The prime minister called for work on a “Brand Pakistan” initiative for gemstones, similar to efforts in other countries in the region. He also instructed officials to prepare a plan for the early establishment of centers of excellence to support value addition and improve the sector’s capabilities.

Centers of Excellence planned in multiple locations

During the meeting, officials briefed the prime minister on progress in a pilot project covering gemstone exploration, cutting, polishing, value addition and export preparation.

The meeting was informed that 4.8 kanals of land had been transferred for a proposed center of excellence in Hussainabad, Skardu, and that funding for the project was available. Construction is expected to begin soon, according to the briefing.

Land has also been identified for the project in Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Islamabad. Officials said the Islamabad center would be made fully operational at an alternative location until its permanent facility was constructed.

Sharif directed authorities to remove obstacles to pilot projects and the development of model gemstone mines to ensure their early completion.

Eight new gemstone blocks identified

Officials also briefed the meeting on policy measures aimed at developing the sector. Geological mapping of identified gemstone areas has been completed, with eight new blocks identified for further exploration in Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The briefing further stated that Rs 1 billion had been allocated for the sector’s development under the Public Sector Development Programme for the current year.

To facilitate exporters, export facilitation desks have been established at 80 branches of 10 banks across seven cities.

The prime minister directed the relevant authorities to submit a comprehensive plan next week covering the establishment of centers of excellence and other measures to develop the gemstone industry.

Federal Ministers Jam Kamal Khan, Dr. Musadik Masood Malik, Ahsan Iqbal, Attaullah Tarar, Ali Pervaiz Malik and Ahsan Iqbal’s cabinet colleagues, Adviser to the Prime Minister Haroon Akhtar, Minister of State Bilal Azhar Kiani and senior officials attended the meeting. Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal was listed among the participants in the Prime Minister’s Office statement.