PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has been working out a plan to set up a gemstone laboratory and technical training centre in the province.

In this regard, KP Governor Shah Farman on Friday chaired a meeting that discussed the selection of land for setting up of gemstone laboratory, installation of modern machinery for cutting and polishing of gemstone and training of people associated with this sector.

It was decided that 32 kanals already available with the minerals department would be utilised for setting up of the laboratory after getting formal approval from the provincial cabinet.

Governor says KP’s gemstones to get global recognition

The lab would be set up in collaboration with IBL and the world renowned organisation, HRD Antwerp, Belgium, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for international certification, training, cutting and polishing of gemstones, the governor said. He added the initiative would not only give global recognition to the gemstones of the province, but also the gemstone industry.

HRD Antwerp would arrange training of the local people in cutting and polishing by famous trainers from Belgium and would also provide modern machinery for cutting and polishing of gemstone in the laboratory.

The meeting was told that the precious stones of the province would also be recognised by the Global Diamond Club after the certification. It was said that India exported $80 billion precious stones annually while its potential for gemstones was very low compared to Pakistan.

Presently, Pakistan is at top of the list of countries with best quality gemstones while Brazil is the only country that can compete with Pakistan in the field.

Mr Farman said that unfortunately no steps was taken in past to develop the gemstone industry. He said that instead of selling precious stones at exorbitant prices the provincial government would give them global recognition through the gemstone laboratory.

He directed the concerned department, industry and the gems and gemological institute to take joint steps for establishment of this laboratory.

The meeting was attended by principal secretary to governor Mohammad Idrees Khan, secretary minerals department Nazar Hussain Shah, secretary industries department Javed Marwat, director gems and gemological institute Naveed Saud, group managing director IBL Syed Nadeem Ahmed and other officials.

Published in Dawn, March 13th, 2021