Pakistan is set to host its first-ever international gemstone exhibition in July 2026 as the government accelerates efforts to tap into its vast but underdeveloped mineral and gemstone sector.
The initiative comes at a time when the country’s gemstone reserves are estimated at around $450 billion, while annual exports remain limited to just $5.8 million, highlighting a wide gap between potential and actual output.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a review meeting focused on the development of the gemstone industry, including plans to establish three dedicated gemstone centers aimed at improving value addition and shifting exports from raw materials to processed, high-value products.
Under the plan, Centers of Excellence will be developed for cutting, polishing, and refining gemstones to international standards for jewellery production. Authorities have already identified land for two centers in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, while a third site in Islamabad is under final consideration.
The upcoming exhibition is expected to bring together international buyers, investors, and industry stakeholders, with the government aiming to position Pakistan as a stronger player in the global gemstone market. The move is part of a broader strategy to expand export earnings amid ongoing fiscal pressures.
Earlier in January 2026, the government approved a national policy framework for gems and precious stones, setting an ambitious target to raise exports to $1 billion within five years.
Alongside infrastructure development, authorities are introducing modern mining techniques and low-waste extraction methods to improve efficiency and sustainability in the sector. The government has also launched training programs for around 1,000 individuals in internationally standardized gemstone mining practices to build a skilled workforce.
Over the past two years, Pakistan has increased international engagement in the mineral sector, hosting global conferences and signing cooperation agreements with countries including the United States, Saudi Arabia, and China to attract investment and technical expertise.
