Islamabad. In the meeting of the Prime Minister’s Steering Committee for Gems Stones, important decisions have been approved by agreeing on various reforms. In this meeting presided over by Chairman Steering Committee & Federal Minister Abdul Aleem Khan stakeholders including Federal Ministers, Secretaries, senior officers and representatives of the private sector participated and discussed in detail the proposed reforms regarding Gems Stones. As per the recommendations of the sub-committee, it was agreed to attach gems stones to the Ministry of Industry by giving it proper status. Federal Minister for Privatization, Board of Investment, Communications & Chairman Steering Committee Abdul Aleem Khan said that we are moving forward with the cooperation and integrated measures of the Government and the private sector for the promotion of the Gems Stones industry. He added that currency exchange and export will increase while faster and purposeful decisions will be implemented for the development and improvement of this sector. Gems Stones sector as an industry which will benefit the country’s economy, he said. Chairman Steering Committee Abdul Aleem Khan said that Gems Stones is a very important sector for the improvement of which the final approval will be taken from the Prime Minister on the proposed reforms including other relevant issues. He said that this Steering Committee is keen to improve the infrastructure and provide a better platform for Gems Stones which includes the consultation of Federal Minister for Petroleum Musadaq Malik, Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan and Minister for Industries Rana Tanveer Hussain. He further said that all the recommendations are aimed at the up gradation of Gems Stones and related sectors for which all decisions regarding Gems Stones will be taken by the private sector, in future. Agreeing on the formation of the Council for gems stones, in the meeting, Federal Minister Abdul Aleem Khan clarified that the Chairman of the Gems Stones Council will be from the private sector who will have full Authority and power. Describing the meeting as purposeful, he appreciated the efforts of the participants and said that Gems Stones is value addition sector that should get maximum facilities.
Chairman Steering Committee Abdul Aleem Khan also issued instructions to various Ministries and departments to resolve the related problems. In the meeting, various proposals were discussed in detail, including to activate the Gems Stones sector as a company instead of an Authority. Federal Secretary Petroleum and senior officers highlighted their point of view on various aspects. In the meeting participant of private sector offered thanks to the Federal Minister and Chairman Steering Committee Abdul Aleem Khan for consideration of their suggestions regarding Gems Stones. Abdul Aleem Khan indicated that soon Members of the Steering Committee and Ministers will visit Gilgit-Baltistan, KPK and Azad Kashmir to review the performance and process of existing institutions active in the field of Gems Stones.