Islamabad

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Balochistan are blessed with a diverse variety of gems and stones, many of which are described as unique in the world. However, this important mining sector is yet to be exploited and facilitated by the government.

A three-day gems and stones exhibition opened here at a local hotel to not only put on display a part of the mineral wealth Pakistan is gifted with but also to draw the government’s attention towards this hitherto almost neglected sector, which can fetch billions of dollars in foreign exchange if properly developed and facilitated. The event has been organised under the aegis of Pakistan Gems and Jewellery Development Company (PGJDA) of Ministry of Production.

On the first day, people from different shades of life visited the show, including foreigners and they evinced great interest in the gifts of nature put on display. As many as 80 stalls are part of the show.

Precious minerals in Pakistan include anatase, brookite, jade, aquamarine, tourmaline, topaz, quartz, epidote, periodote, morganite, fluorite and apatite.

Pakistan Gems and Minerals Association (PGMA) Chairman Shafiee Muhammad, present on the occasion, told ‘The News’ minerals fetched US dollar 34 million in 2010-11, which was far less than the potential, this sector had.

He pointed out only Jaipur city of Rajasthan state had been recording billions of dollar exports in gems and jewellery, as it imported minerals in raw shape, mostly from Afghanistan, and then refined and exported to other countries. Locals in Jaipur, he noted, had been encouraged to be a part of the thriving sector.

He regretted that locals in Gilgit-Baltistan and elsewhere even in the modern technological era, relied even on conservative techniques to mine minerals by dynamiting mountains that harmed the resources in a big way.

“If there is a better and supportive environment and locals are trained and then financed to buy at least facetor machines. They cannot only earn for themselves but also contribute to boosting the sector,” he maintained. A machine costs Rs0.2 million, which an ordinary man just can’t afford.

He noted great export potential of gems and stones was yet to be properly harnessed in parts of Gilgit-Baltistan, Chitral and Balochistan, particularly in its Kharan district. He added the rare pink topas in Katlang area of Mardan was also to be explored and mined, as villagers resisted any such move but they can be sensitised and motivated to allow mining.

“Several stall holders here are from Gilgit-Baltistan, who mine gems and stones themselves in a very conservative way. They lack resources and know-how about properly tapping these precious resources,” he observed.

About the role of PGJDA, he said the company had established Gems and Gemological Institute in Peshawar and Gems and Jewellery Training and Manufacturing Centre (JTMC). However, he added still a lot needed to be done in this mining sector. JTMC offers free training in five related courses, including manual jewellery designing, gem stone carving and gem stone identification.

This correspondent interviewed some stall holders, who include miners, exporters and importers: they said around 70 per cent minerals were mined from Gilgit-Baltistan alone, but 50-60 per cent of these were wasted due to non-availability of the required technological equipment and skills.

“We have no access to local as well as world market. We have to visit Peshawar for cutting, processing and polishing of stones. Construction of labs in Gilgit-Baltistan and elsewhere can address this pressing problem,” said Abid Hussain, who mines stones from his own property in Gilgit-Baltistan.

Asked had there been any change after the region was given a special status and Chief Minister Mehdi Shah-led government was installed, he replied in negative and claimed, the situation was same, as it was before the new arrangement made.

Muhammad Afzal and his five brothers are in this business for over two decades and have complaints about seething negligence meted out by the government functionaries to Gilgit-Baltistan’s mining sector.
the news
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Three-day gems and jewellery exhibition opens
Organisers and exhibiters stress exploitation of natural resources for a strong position in the international market
75 stalls of gems and jewellery showcase variety of precious and semi-precious stones
ISLAMABAD – As the demand of gemstones continues to grow rapidly in the international market, there is a need to exploit
the country’s natural reserves to create a substantial niche in the international market for the Pakistani Gems and Jewellery Industry.
In order to showcase the precious stones and introduce the people to the potential of natural resources in Pakistan, a three-day gem and jewellery exhibition (January 21- January 23), titled ‘Islamabad Gem Exhibition’, started in a local hotel on Saturday.
Organised by the Pakistan Gems and Jewellery Development Company (PGJDC), under the aegis of the Ministry of Production, the gem exhibition was an effort to support the economy of the country, besides highlighting the importance of the gems industry.
A large number of gems and jewellery collectors, traders, franchisers, retailers, students of natural sciences and women from the twin cities attended the opening day of the gems display.
Inaugurating the three-day, PGJDC Chairperson Senator Sameen Siddiqui noted that Pakistan’s gems and jewellery sector had huge potential to become a regional leader by adopting modern techniques and methodologies.
The senator said, “Pakistan is blessed with immense resources, especially minerals and precious stones. It is up to us to put in our best efforts to convert the potential into tangible gains to benefit the country and its economy.”
Speaking on the occasion, Ministry of Production Secretary Gul Muhammad Rind said that Pakistan was a home to over 270 varieties of precious stones. Comparing the gem industries of Pakistan and India, he said, “India earns up to $ 26 billion as foreign exchange by exporting only three kinds of stones while Pakistan manages to earn $ 300 million, despite having more than 270 kinds of stones.” Rind also promised to increase the revenues of gemstones industry in the coming years.
The production secretary said that the exhibition had helped showcase the best of Pakistani gems and jewellery under one roof. The exhibitors have displayed their products, including precious stones, which were the hallmark of Pakistan’s rich mineral resources and cultural heritage, he added.
Around 75 exhibitors, including dealers, distributors, exporters and retailers from across the country are participating in the three-day exhibition, with the aim of promoting Pakistani gems. The stalls displaying dazzling gems, stones and jewellery were divided into sections named according to regions, Karachi, Lahore, Quetta, Peshawar, Rawalpindi, Islamabad and Gilgit-Baltistan. Pakistan is blessed with vast natural reserves of precious and semi-precious coloured gemstones, including ruby, emerald, tourmaline, garnet, topaz, peridot, aquamarine, spinel, pargasite, diopside, moonstone, serpentine jade, epidote, pink beryl (morganite), purple beryl, sapphire, zoisite, lapis lazuli, turquoise, kunzite and all known varieties of quartz.
Wrist watches, decoration pieces, bracelet, earrings, nose-pins, rings, and huge variety of specimens of all precious and semi-precious stones were also put on display.
The exhibition not only created an opportunity for all gem traders to display their collections but also offered a chance to the public to witness the rare gemstones and minerals of Pakistan.
Talking to Pakistan Today, gemologist and designer from Lahore Zeeshan Ibrahim said, “The purpose of this display is to introduce gem industry of Pakistan to the locals as these gems are valued by foreigners only.” He said that the samples of the precious gemstones attracted the foreigners in particular, while very few locals, who have knowledge of these stones, were interested in buying them.
“Normally, the samples of gemstones have no price tags. It varies from customer to customer, the samples of gemstones are in real natural shape thus they cost higher than the refined pieces,” Ibrahim said.
While highlighting the potential of the exhibition, he said, “Pakistan’s potential to become one of the world’s largest resources for brilliant gems will get a fillip at the exhibition. The country has a rich tradition of showcasing exceptional quality of precious stones, which adorn some of the most exquisite jewellery designs made by the world’s prominent jewellery designers.”
Salman Saeed, one of the organisers, said, “We intend to provide exhibition space for the young and dynamic jewellery designers who are thriving in Pakistan. We would like to link them to the international markets so that they are able to understand the global trends and compete with the well-known designers from all over the world.” EU Ambassador to Pakistan Lars Gunnar Wigemark said, ‘It is an excellent and well-organised display as it showcases everything Pakistan has in term of precious and semi-precious stones, which is excellent.” The exhibition attracted a large number of female foreigners in particular.
The three-day exhibition would continue from 9:00am-10:00pm and conclude on Monday (January 23). pakistan today

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