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Pakistani exhibitors showcase mineral wealth at China’s major gemstone expo

NANJING: Pakistani exhibitors highlighted the country’s vast mineral and gemstone resources at the 2026 China (Nanjing) International Mineral Gemstone & Fossil Expo (CIMGE), held from May 14 to 18 at the Nanjing International Exhibition Center (NIEC), as China’s growing gemstone market opened new opportunities for international traders and collectors.

The exhibition attracted participants from more than 50 countries and regions, including Pakistan, Peru, the United States and Switzerland, with international exhibitors making up over 25 percent of the total participants. Spread across 65,000 square meters, the expo featured dedicated sections for domestic and international mineral crystals, fossils and meteorites, jewelry, and educational displays.

At least ten Pakistani companies participated in the event, showcasing mineral specimens and gemstones including emeralds, tourmalines, topaz, morganite, quartz, aquamarine and crystals sourced from Gilgit-Baltistan, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. For many exhibitors, the expo represented more than just a sales opportunity, according to CEN, which reported on the event on Wednesday.

Liaqat of Pakistan Astor Gems and Minerals told China Economic Net that China is a large and vibrant market, adding that Chinese collectors are becoming increasingly knowledgeable about mineral specimens and gemstones and are gradually embracing gemstones as everyday wearable items.

The growing presence of Pakistani exhibitors at China’s leading gemstone fairs reflects deepening mineral cooperation between the two countries. According to China customs data, Pakistan’s exports of unworked precious and semi-precious stones (HS Code 71031000) to China surged by around 145.7 percent year-on-year to $783,890 during the first four months of this year.

The increasing trade momentum has also been supported by high-level bilateral engagement. Earlier this year, Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal, addressed the China-Pakistan Mineral Cooperation Forum, saying the two countries were entering a decisive new phase of economic partnership by placing mineral development at the center of CPEC 2.0. He said the initiative aims to transform connectivity into productivity, exports and sustainable economic growth.

Pakistan possesses globally rare and high-quality gemstone resources, with total national reserves estimated at around $450 billion. The country has approximately 92 known minerals, of which 52 are currently being extracted. Pakistan also has nearly 5,000 operational mines and annual mineral production of about 68.5 million metric tons. Despite the sector’s scale, mineral exports contribute only 2–3 percent to the country’s GDP.

In an effort to unlock the country’s undervalued mineral wealth and move from exporting low-cost rough stones to producing high-value finished products for global markets, Pakistan’s first International Gemstone Expo is scheduled to be held in July this year. The event aims to attract major industry players, including exhibitors from China, and build on the momentum generated at international exhibitions such as the CIMGE in Nanjing.

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Pakistani Students’ UK Visa Delays Raised by Azam Nazeer Tarar with British High Commissioner

Azam Nazeer Tarar with UK High Commissioner

ISLAMABAD: British High Commissioner Jane Marriott called on Federal Minister for Law & Justice Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar. The meeting discussed Pakistan-UK bilateral relations, matters of mutual interest and ways to further strengthen cooperation between the two countries.

During the meeting, the Federal Minister raised the issue of delays in UK visas for Pakistani students and conveyed the Government of Pakistan’s concern to the British High Commissioner.

Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar said that hundreds of Pakistani students were facing difficulties due to delays in visa processing, with a risk that the delays could result in the loss of their academic year. He stressed the need to remove obstacles faced by Pakistani students seeking education abroad and facilitate them in this regard.

The Federal Minister briefed the British High Commissioner that, on the directives of the Prime Minister, a committee under his chairmanship was working to improve the legal and institutional framework concerning Pakistani students studying abroad.

He further informed the High Commissioner that, on the Prime Minister’s directives, the committee had finalized its recommendations on the matter, and work was underway to further improve the legal and institutional framework for Pakistani students pursuing education abroad.

The Federal Minister said that the legal and institutional framework for Pakistani students seeking education abroad was being improved to develop an effective mechanism for addressing the issues faced by students.

British High Commissioner Jane Marriott assured the Federal Minister that the issue of delays in visas for Pakistani students would be addressed.

The meeting also discussed further strengthening educational linkages between Pakistan and the United Kingdom, as well as enhancing institutional cooperation and engagement between the two countries.

Minister of State for Law, Justice and Human Rights Barrister Aqeel Malik was also present during the meeting.

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Naqvi Sets September 30 Deadline for Completion of Islamabad Safe City Expansion

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, accompanied by Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, visited the Islamabad Safe City Headquarters on Friday and chaired a special meeting to review progress on the Safe City Expansion Project, directing officials to complete the ambitious initiative by September 30.

During the briefing, officials informed the minister that overall work on the expansion project has reached 85 percent completion. Installation of the new surveillance network is also 85 percent complete, while 415 kilometres of optical fibre have been laid to support the upgraded system. Work on the data centre, cyber architecture, and cybersecurity infrastructure has also reached approximately 80 percent completion.

Expressing satisfaction over the pace of work, Naqvi stressed that the remaining tasks must be completed within the stipulated timeframe.

He said the government’s vision is to transform the Islamabad Safe City into a modern, smart, and world-class institution comparable to those in developed countries.

The interior minister said the technologically advanced Safe City system would significantly strengthen public safety through enhanced surveillance, effective monitoring, and rapid emergency response capabilities.

He noted that the project would play a vital role in improving law enforcement efficiency and ensuring better security for residents of the federal capital.

Naqvi also assigned officials the task of completing the state-of-the-art Fusion Centre within the next three months, describing it as a critical component of the upgraded Safe City network.

He further directed the relevant authorities to finalise the Safe City Bill at the earliest and present it before the National Assembly without delay to provide the legal framework necessary for the project’s long-term operation and expansion.

The meeting was attended by the Federal Secretary for Interior, the Director General of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), senior Safe City officials, and other relevant officers, who briefed the minister on the progress and future roadmap of the expansion project.

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PM Shehbaz, high-level delegation perform Umrah; pray for country’s progress

MAKKAH AL-MUKARRAMAH: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, along with his high-level delegation, performed Umrah here on Friday.

He was accompanied by his delegation including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, federal ministers Khawaja Muhammad Asif and Attaullah Tarar, and Special Assistant to PM Tariq Fatemi.

The door of Khana Kaaba was opened specially for the prime minister and his delegation.

Following the completion of the Umrah rituals, the prime minister, field marshal, and other members of the Pakistani delegation offered special prayers for the progress and prosperity of the country, the safety and unity of the Muslim Ummah, and for regional and global peace.

The prime minister arrived in Jeddah on Thursday evening for a three-day visit to Saudi Arabia at the invitation of Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

Besides meeting with his Saudi counterpart, he will also pay a visit to the Roze-e-Rasool (PBUH) in Madinah.