Advisor to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan has reaffirmed the government's commitment to promote skills development, value addition, investment, branding and exports in Pakistan's gemstones sector.

He was chairing a high-level meeting of the Steering Committee on the development and promotion of Pakistan's gemstones sector in Islamabad today.

The meeting reviewed measures to develop the country's gemstones sector, promote investment, enhance value addition, improve market access and increase exports.

Haroon Akhtar Khan said that blocks for the mining of topaz, ruby and other high-value gemstones would be identified in different areas of the country to facilitate systematic and high-quality mining operations.

He said that provinces would be taken on board to ensure better coordination and effective implementation of policies across the country.

The committee was informed that dedicated gemstones expos would soon be organized in Karachi and Islamabad to provide opportunities for local businesses, miners, traders, exporters and international buyers to interact and develop new business linkages.

It was further informed that a dedicated training centre for the gemstones and jewellery sector would soon be established in Quetta. In addition, Centres of Excellence for the gemstones sector would also be established in Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Islamabad.