Pakistan Gemstone Losses Rise as Old Mining Methods Persist

Pakistan continues to lose major income from its gemstone sector. The government raised this concern during a recent meeting of the Prime Minister’s Committee on Gemstone Policy. The officials warned that outdated mining tools and undocumented exports keep the industry from growing.
The meeting included Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Haroon Akhtar Khan, Minister of State for Finance and Railways Bilal Azhar Kayani, and Adviser Rana Ihsan Afzaal. They agreed that Pakistan must act quickly to protect its natural resources. In addition, they noted that proper oversight can help the industry develop stronger global links.
A statement shared after the session revealed that gemstone exports remain largely undocumented. However, the government plans to begin formal registration soon. Officials also shared that miners still use old blasting and drilling methods. As a result, the country loses almost half of its gemstone output during extraction.
They also explained that 30 to 40 percent of stones suffer damage due to these methods. Therefore, the sector continues to underperform despite its strong potential.

Missed Opportunities

Committee members pointed out that most gemstones leave the country in raw form. This practice reduces earnings before the stones reach global buyers. They added that Pakistan lacks strong international partnerships, which further weakens its position in the global market.
Haroon Akhtar Khan stressed that modern mining equipment can transform the sector. Better tools can raise production and improve safety. In addition, proper value addition can significantly increase export earnings.
He shared that Pakistan’s undocumented gemstone potential stands near 2 billion dollars. However, the country records only around 7 million dollars in formal exports. This gap shows how much revenue Pakistan loses each year.
Khan also raised concerns about undocumented nephrite exports. He directed stakeholders to prepare a five year export analysis. This review will help shape future policy and support long term planning. As a result, the government expects clearer strategies and stronger protections for the gemstone industry.