RGNR – Over the past few weeks, we’ve been pleased to discover four short and positive feature stories about Pakistan’s gemstone industry. We’re sharing these brief glimpses into the ongoing conversations, along with links to the full reports for further reading.
Pakistan’s Gemstone Industry: A Billion-Dollar Opportunity Waiting To Shine
Time to Unlock KP’s Gemstone Potential
UET Initiates Gemstone Identification, Cutting & Polishing Courses
and Students Advised to Develop Expertise in Gemstone Sector
We understand the challenges of making positive strides in the region, which is why every report of progress in our industry gives us hope.
Pakistan’s Gemstone Industry: A Billion-Dollar Opportunity Waiting To Shine
An OpEd, written by Shamsa Ishfaq
Eurasia Review
Nestled in the heart of Peshawar, Namak Mandi is a treasure trove of Pakistan’s untapped gemstone wealth, pulsating with the energy of traders, artisans, and buyers who have kept the ancient tradition of gemstone trade alive for generations. Despite its immense potential, the industry has largely remained informal, functioning within a $300 million shadow economy. However, a transformation is on the horizon, one that could elevate Pakistan to a global leader in the gemstone trade.
Pakistan is home to the world’s fifth-largest high-quality gemstone reserves, with deposits spread across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan. The country boasts an impressive array of precious stones, including Swat’s emerald, Mardan’s topaz, Mohmand’s nephrite, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir’s sapphire. These natural riches, if harnessed properly, have the potential to make Pakistan a formidable force in the international gemstone market. Experts estimate that the country can annually export 800,000 carats of ruby, 87,000 carats of emerald, and five million carats of peridot, translating into millions of dollars in foreign exchange.
Tap here to read the full OpEd in the Eurasia Review
From The Nation, an interview with a 30-year-old gemstone exporter/gem cutter highlights the challenges faced as he brings his inventory to market.
Time to Unlock KP’s Gemstone Potential
Peshawar – In the heart of Namak Mandi, Peshawar, Faraz Ahmad, a 30-year-old gemstone exporter, works tirelessly to cut, polish, and shape raw gemstones ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations. Amid the hum of polishing and cutting machines, he motivates his co-laborers to meet the growing demands of domestic jewelers and international investors.
Faraz’s workshop represents the bustling gemstone trade in Namak Mandi, where precious stones remain undervalued due to outdated mining methods and a lack of modern technology. As the famous Pashto song “Mong da Khyber Zalmi” plays in the background, his hard work highlights the increasing demand for KP’s gemstones locally and internationally. The province is a treasure trove for rare gemstones like ruby, emerald, sapphire, topaz, and aquamarine, attracting investors seeking quality stones.
Tap here to read the full feature in The Nation!
Also from The Nation, we have a feature that examines progress, the opening of a gemology program at the local university.
UET Initiates Gemstone Identification, Cutting & Polishing Courses
PESHAWAR – The six-month “Gemstone Identification (Gemology)” and three-month “Gemstone Cutting & Polishing (Lapidary)” certification courses have commenced at the Gems and Jewellery Centre of Excellence (GJCoE), University of Engineering & Technology, Peshawar. The courses are funded by the National Vocational & Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) under the Prime Minister’s Youth Skill Development Program. A total of 106 young individuals from various backgrounds have enrolled in the programme, which aims to provide a combination of practical knowledge and theoretical expertise, preparing them for careers in the gemstone and jewellery sectors. The orientation ceremony, held on Monday, was attended by students and faculty members.
Tap here to read the full feature in The Nation!
Then in Dawn e-newspaper, we see a celebration of this new gemology and lapidary program at the university.
Students Advised to Develop Expertise in Gemstone Sector
PESHAWAR: University of Engineering and Technology (UET) Peshawar on Monday held a reception for students of Gems and Jewellery Centre of Excellence, as part of prime minister’s initiative “Skilled Youth, Bright Pakistan”.
Dr Khizar Azam Khan, the registrar of UET, was chief guest on the occasion. Students and faculty members attended the ceremony, which was meant to encourage youth participating in specialised training programmes.
Dr Khizar Azam Khan said that under National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) and with financial support from Prime Minister’s Youth Skill Development Programme, two certification courses were launched. One is a six-month course in gemology and another is a three-month course in gemstone cutting and polishing.
A total of 106 youth from various backgrounds have enrolled in the courses to acquire practical and theoretical skills essential for building a successful career in gemstone and jewellery industry.
Tap here to read the full feature in Dawn!
