Pakistan will host its first-ever international gemstone exhibition in July 2026 as part of government efforts to tap into the country’s largely underutilized mineral resources.
Officials estimate that Pakistan holds gemstone reserves worth around $450 billion, while current annual exports remain extremely low at approximately $5.8 million.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a high-level meeting to review development plans for the sector, including proposals to establish three gemstone centers aimed at improving value addition and upgrading local processing facilities to international standards.
Under the plan, Centers of Excellence will be set up for cutting, polishing, and preparing gemstones for jewelry production, with the goal of shifting exports from raw stones to high-value finished products.
Authorities have already identified land for two centers in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, while the third location is being finalized in Islamabad.
The upcoming exhibition is expected to attract international buyers, investors, and industry experts, positioning Pakistan as an emerging player in the global gemstone market. The initiative is part of a broader strategy to increase export earnings and reduce fiscal pressure by monetizing natural resources.
In January 2026, the government approved its first national policy framework for gems and precious stones, setting an ambitious target to raise exports to $1 billion within five years.
To support this goal, authorities are also introducing modern mining and processing technologies along with low-waste extraction methods to improve efficiency and sustainability.
Additionally, training programs have been launched for 1,000 individuals in internationally recognized gemstone mining techniques to develop a skilled workforce for the sector.
Over the past two years, Pakistan has increased international engagement in the minerals sector through conferences and agreements with countries including the United States, Saudi Arabia, and China to attract investment and technical cooperation.
