Islamabad: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has stressed the importance of maximizing the utilization of the country's precious gemstone reserves to boost foreign exchange earnings through exports. He made these remarks while chairing a meeting in Islamabad focused on the promotion of gemstones and minerals.

According to Radio Pakistan, the Prime Minister directed provincial authorities and the governments of Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan to collaborate closely for the advancement of the gemstone industry. He urged officials to engage international experts for the establishment of proposed gemstone centers in Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Kashmir.

The Prime Minister set a deadline for the completion of the Islamabad Gemstone Center by August next year. He highlighted the need for implementing a comprehensive policy framework with the assistance of international experts. Additionally, he emphasized the use of the latest technology and equipment in these centers to enhance gemstone exports through value addition.

The meeting included a briefing on the current efforts to promote the gemstone industry. It was revealed that a site on Constitution Avenue has been selected for the Islamabad gemstone center, which aims to provide international-standard value addition services, certification, incubation center, and trade center facilities.

The meeting was also informed about the initiation of work on a geo-fencing scientific roadmap for gemstones, marking a significant step towards the sector's development.