ISLAMABAD, March 1: Federal Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Amanullah Khan Jadoon has said that the government is taking concrete steps to explore precious stones and other metallic and non-metallic deposits in the Northern Areas, AJK, NWFP and other parts of the country.

The minister was talking to the president of World’s Gold and Diamonds Company of US, Mr Nasiruddin Rupani, who called on him here on Thursday and briefed him about his company’s plan to set up 11 gemstone cutting and polishing training centres in the Northern Areas and other parts of the country by investing $4 million.

The minister said that the government had already set up three training centres to train unemployed youth in gemstone-cutting and polishing trade.

The minister said that the government would launch a programme to train youth in precious stones cutting, polishing and marketing with a view to give a boost to export of finished precious stones in world market.

He said the government would encourage and facilitate the World’s Gold and Diamonds Company in setting up gemstone training centres and mining of deposits on scientific lines.

The president of World’s Gold and Diamonds Company informed the minister that the company had already imparted training to 100 unemployed youth, enabling them to earn their livelihood in a dignified manner.

He said that Pakistan was endowed with vast mineral deposits and his company would make further investment in the days ahead for the mutual advantage.

Director-general (Minerals), Mr Irshad Ali Khokhar, and other officials of the ministry were also present during the meeting.