Sharif told officials Pakistan has “abundant natural resources, including precious stones,” and said the sector could become a stronger source of export earnings if local resources are processed before shipment. He also directed the Ministry of Planning to prepare a comprehensive strategy for processed gemstone exports.
Pakistan gemstones plan centers on processing and exports
The planned hubs, described as Centers of Excellence, will train workers in cutting, polishing and preparing gemstones for jewelry production. Land has been identified in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, while authorities are still working to finalize a site in Islamabad, Profit by Pakistan Today reported.
The government also expects the July 2026 exhibition to bring foreign buyers, investors and technical partners into closer contact with Pakistan’s gemstone producers. Arab News reported that officials estimate Pakistan’s gemstone reserves at about $450 billion, while annual exports remain near $5.8 million.
Officials said the centers are part of a wider effort to improve standards in mining, certification and processing. The Petroleum Ministry has also briefed the prime minister on methods to reduce waste in extraction, while Pakistan is working with Sri Lanka and China to train skilled manpower in specialized gemstone processing, according to Dawn’s coverage of the meeting.
Three hubs aim to fix a long-running value gap
The new effort builds on concerns raised over the past year about smuggling, weak documentation and the export of rough stones at lower value. In October 2025, officials were already considering restoring import and export regulations for gold, jewelry and gemstones to improve certification, registration and documentation.
A month later, the Press Information Department said a prime ministerial committee had identified about $2 billion in undocumented export potential in the gemstone sector, compared with roughly $7 million in formally recorded exports, according to a November 2025 PID statement.
The current plan also follows the government’s January approval of a National Policy Framework for the gemstone sector. At the time, Business Recorder reported that the framework targeted $1 billion in annual gemstone exports within five years and called for testing laboratories, certification systems and Centers of Excellence.
Training, certification and a July expo
Authorities said about 1,000 people are being trained in internationally aligned mining techniques, while community-based projects are being launched in mining regions. The goal is to create a pipeline from mining areas to processing centers and then to export markets.
The July exhibition could be the first public test of that strategy. If the event attracts buyers and the processing hubs move forward on schedule, Pakistan may have a stronger platform to sell finished or semi-finished stones instead of exporting raw material through informal channels.
Still, the plan’s success will depend on execution. Investors and buyers will likely look for credible certification, predictable export rules, transparent hub management and consistent supply. Without those pieces, Pakistan’s gemstone wealth may remain underpriced despite the new policy push.
What comes next for Pakistan gemstones
The immediate next step is the Ministry of Planning’s export roadmap, which Sharif ordered officials to prepare quickly. The government must also finalize the Islamabad site, begin operating the hubs, complete training programs and prepare the July 2026 exhibition for international participation, Dunya News reported.
For Pakistan, the stakes are larger than a single trade show. The gemstone initiative is a test of whether the country can turn mineral wealth into documented exports, skilled jobs and higher-value manufacturing at home.
