Pakistan will host its first international gemstone exhibition in July 2026 as the government moves to unlock the country’s vast but underutilized mineral potential.
Pakistan holds an estimated $450 billion worth of gemstone reserves, yet annual exports remain at just $5.8 million.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a meeting to review plans for developing the sector, including the establishment of three gemstone centers to improve value addition and bring local processing up to international standards.
The government plans to set up Centers of Excellence for cutting, polishing, and preparing gemstones for jewelry production, aiming to shift from raw exports to higher-value finished products.
Land has already been identified for two centers in Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, while a third location is being finalized in Islamabad.
The upcoming exhibition in July is expected to attract international buyers and investors, positioning Pakistan as a growing player in the global gemstone market. The push is part of a broader strategy to monetize natural resources, as Pakistan faces fiscal pressures and looks to diversify export earnings.
In January 2026, the government approved its first national policy framework for gems and precious stones, targeting a sharp increase in exports to $1 billion within five years.
Authorities are also introducing modern mining and processing techniques, along with low waste extraction practices to improve efficiency and sustainability.
The government has also started training 1,000 individuals in internationally standardized gemstone mining methods to build a skilled workforce for the sector.
Over the past two years, Pakistan has increased engagement with global partners, hosting mineral conferences and signing agreements with countries including the United States, Saudi Arabia, and China to attract investment.
Hahahahahahahaha
Another fraudulent project of mandate the thief government of criminals 😆 imposed by GHQ
ProPakistani has many things in common with the government – daydreaming. Potential of anything remains potential till realized. You have oil and gas beneath but you are still begging for oil and gas. So with these precious stones and gems.
LoL! LoL! LoL! 🤣🤣🤣
Why is the country so poor and in debt if it has that amount would mentioned? Something does not add up.
“Hidden” !!.. couldnt stop laughing. Also weren’t there an article here a few days ago, how pakistans salt exports were rejected on poor packaging? How do you hope to get this “hidden” money work for econony when you can’t even do a proper packaging for basic salts…Great article though, gave a good laugh
LoL! LoL! LoL! 🤣🤣🤣
“Hidden” as in, once “transferred”. It would be in “Hidden” accounts.
Several Chinese gemstone exporters have established their illegal set-ups in Pakistan, where they buy raw gemstones from the local people, cut, shape/design them into beautiful designs by inviting exerts from china and export them to final destination markets or buyers at fabulous value addition, saving huge tax and duties for themselves.
Allah Talla has bestowed many natural resources, minerals, oil and gas, precious Gems, marble, pink salt, coal, etc, but unfortunately the leaders who leads this country having lack of dignity, honesty dedication and credibility to make use of these gifts from Allah,
Dirt poor gonna become rich! And soon! And the world’s DECISIONS will be made here from then on! Yay! 🙌🏻🥳
No centre in KPK which has more precious stones than GB n AJK.Three centres in KPK’s Peshawar,Swat ,and Waziristan are badly needed…Why no central govt project given to KPK??…not even fed govt laptop was available for kpk students…only Hazara div students were given laptops as it is Maryrm Nawaz ka susral