Govt eyes global branding push for gemstones sector

August 20, 2026 (MLN):  The government will identify blocks for the mining of topaz, ruby and other high-value gemstones across various regions of the country to enable systematic, high-quality mining operations.

Advisor to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan made these remarks while chairing a high-level meeting of the Steering Committee on the development and promotion of Pakistan's gemstones sector, attended by Prime Minister's Coordinator for Industries and Production Rana Ihsan Afzal, the Secretary of Industries and Production, and senior officials from relevant departments and institutions, along with representatives of the Pakistan Minerals Development Corporation (PMDC) and the Geological Survey of Pakistan (GSP), according to a press release issued.

The meeting reviewed measures to develop the gemstones sector, boost investment, enhance value addition, improve market access and increase exports.

The Advisor said effective implementation of investor-friendly policies was key to unlocking the sector's growth potential, adding that provinces would be brought on board to ensure better coordination and consistent policy implementation nationwide.

He said the government was also working on digitizing data and mapping gemstone and mineral resources to build a comprehensive database that would support investment and resource management.

He  emphasized the need to promote value addition in the sector to boost exports and generate greater economic value, saying marketing and branding of Pakistani gemstones was the need of the hour to strengthen exports and build strong Made-in-Pakistan brands internationally.

He said an effective strategy would be developed to promote Pakistani gemstone brands globally and expand the country's international market presence.

The committee was informed that dedicated gemstones expos would soon be held in Karachi and Islamabad, offering local businesses, miners, traders, exporters and international buyers opportunities to interact and build new business linkages.

Close coordination is also being maintained with Thailand and Iran to support the sector's development and explore international cooperation and market access.

To facilitate trade, Customs and other relevant departments are working jointly with stakeholders, with amendments to relevant HS codes also underway through combined efforts of Customs and the private sector.

The committee was further informed that around 12,000 training programmes have been conducted so far in the gemstones and jewellery sector, with three additional courses currently underway.

A dedicated training centre for the sector will soon be established in Quetta, while Centres of Excellence are planned for Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Islamabad.

Haroon Akhtar Khan reaffirmed the government's commitment to comprehensive measures on skills development, value addition, investment, branding and exports to unlock the full potential of Pakistan's gemstones sector in international markets.

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