Pakistan is abundant in gems and minerals. We are blessed with a rich geographical landscape possessing an immense array of precious and semi-precious gemstones. Despite this natural wealth, the potential of the gemstone industry in country is unfortunately untapped and unheeded.
Empowering the gemstone sector in the country is not just about unlocking the economic potential of these precious stones but also about promotion of local craftsmen, generating job opportunities and contributing to the general progress of Pakistan.
This sector should be affiliated with sustainable development goals of Pakistan. Environmental conservation and mindful mining practices must be prioritized to ensure responsible gemstone extraction and preserving the ecological balance of the regions where these precious stones are found.

Having possession of the fifth largest reservoir of gemstones in the world, Pakistan gemstone industry has the potential to become a significant contributor to Pakistan’s economy. We export gemstones worth at least $3.7 billion annually with the largest contributor being All Pakistan’s commercial exporters Alliance (APCEA ). The existence of women in Pakistan’s Gemstone sector is next to none. A very meagre percentage of women are in this industry and this is one of most untouched industry for women to participate and earn a livelihood. APCEA has introduced an unprecedented women empowerment committee initiative for inclusion of women in this sector in 2024. With latest and suitable investment and infrastructure growth, we can increase and modernize the gemstone extraction, processing, and export capabilities, paving way for generating significant revenues. To achieve this pinnacle, Government and Private sector must come together to encourage and empower this industry.

Promotion and government assistance can create a ripple effect by bridging employment prospects at many levels from mining, polishing to supply chain, miners and lapidaries to traders and vendors. By providing training and education in gemstone extraction, cutting, and processing techniques, Pakistan can foster and enlarge a skilled workforce that enhances value to the gems and improves the quality of finished products, making them more competitive in the global market particularly advancing local communities in gem-rich regions namely KPK province, Baluchistan, Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Kashmir. We need to emphasize training and relaxed rules for export by government.
A robust gemstone industry can place Pakistan as a competitive player in the international stage. By adopting ethical mining practices, confirming transparency, and embracing quality control, Pakistan’s gemstones can attract buyers worldwide, fostering a positive image for the country in the global gemstone trade.

Conclusion:
The need to empower Pakistan’s gemstone industry is not only rooted in economic deliberations but to bring about holistic expansion. By investing in infrastructure, skill development, and sustainability, Pakistan can harness the true potential of its gemstone resources, leading to growth, job creation, and a constructive impact on relevant markets. Pakistan’s gemstone industry has the power to glow radiantly as a symbol of economic prosperity on the global stage and productive steps should be taken to make it a reality.

Ayesha Jehangir Khan
Award Winning Entrepreneur, Humanitarian
Chairperson Women Empowerment Committee
APCEA
Email: [email protected]

Meanwhile, Chinese Consul General Zhao Shirin, along with a delegation of Chinese environmental experts, convened with Chief Minister Punjab Mohsin Naqvi

Abid Raza

Lahore: Chief Minister Punjab Mohsin Naqvi engaged in a productive meeting with Canadian High Commissioner Leslie Scanlon. Discussions centered around mutual interests, emphasizing the proposed agreement between the Punjab government and Canada concerning the deployment of skilled manpower. Naqvi underscored the longstanding and robust friendship between Pakistan and Canada, highlighting the historic initiative to send young professionals to Canada for employment.

Expressing optimism, Chief Minister Naqvi disclosed that this month, a Punjab government delegation is scheduled to visit Canada for the formal signing of the ground breaking agreement. The Chief Minister believes that this accord will not only offer respectable employment opportunities to Pakistani youth but will also usher in a new era in Pak-Canada relations.

The deliberations also extended to heightened cooperation on environmental protection, particularly addressing the pressing issue of smog. Acknowledging the efforts to combat smog through artificial rain in Lahore, Canadian High Commissioner commended the significant strides made across various fields in a short span. Anticipating positive outcomes, the Commissioner expressed hope that the upcoming visit of the Pakistani delegation to Canada would further strengthen bilateral relations through increased interactions and exchange of delegations.

Chief Minister Naqvi added that the partnership aims to extend collaboration on multiple fronts. He highlighted achievements such as the swift upgrade of 114 major hospitals and the successful completion of public welfare projects ahead of schedule. Mentioning the innovative initiative of providing 26,000 electric bikes and rickshaws without interest, he emphasized the government’s commitment by imposing a ban on petrol bike purchases at the government level in Punjab.

Addressing environmental concerns, Chief Minister Naqvi outlined the installation of 5 anti-smog towers in Lahore, with the first tower expected to be operational in early February. He reassured the public that comprehensive measures were being taken to combat smog effectively. In concluding remarks, Naqvi emphasized that the Punjab government’s initiatives are geared towards providing relief and convenience to the common man, underscoring the pivotal role the upcoming visit to Canada will play in furthering bilateral relations.

Meanwhile, Chinese Consul General Zhao Shirin, along with a delegation of Chinese environmental experts, convened with Chief Minister Punjab Mohsin Naqvi at the Chief Minister’s Office. The primary focus of the meeting centered on devising strategies to combat the prevalent issue of smog in Lahore.

During the meeting, a delegation of Chinese experts presented a preliminary report highlighting the causes of smog in Lahore. According to their findings, factors such as unnecessary use of organic and inorganic fuels, high atmospheric humidity, household dust and gas emissions, and pollutants from coal plants in India contribute to the smog in the region. The experts emphasized a specific ratio of different elements, including carbon dioxide and nitrogen, forming the smog.

Commending Mohsin Naqvi’s proactive measures in combating smog, the Chinese experts lauded the adoption of an effective policy. Chief Minister Naqvi stressed the need for a comprehensive and robust report to guide future governmental efforts in addressing the smog challenge.

Despite school closures, a ban on crop residue burning, and reduced traffic, the persistence of smog remains noticeable. Chief Minister Naqvi expressed appreciation for the arrival of Chinese experts, anticipating a comprehensive report that would aid in tackling the issue. He emphasized the importance of understanding the factors that render smog harmful to health.

The signing of Investment Framework Agreements highlights the importance of Pakistan as gateway to Asia

News Desk

Davos: Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have signed multiple agreements worth more than $3 billion for cooperation in railways, economic zones and infrastructure, a Pakistani official said on Thursday.
The development comes amid Pakistan Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar’s visit to Davos, Switzerland to attend 54th summit of the World Economic Forum (WEF).
The agreements cover the development of a dedicated freight corridor, multi-modal logistics park, and freight terminals, according to a statement shared on X by Syed Mazhar Ali Shah, the Pakistan Railways secretary.
DP World, a Dubai-based Emirati multinational logistics company, will carry out infrastructure improvement at Qasim International Container Terminal, Pakistan’s leading trade gateway, as part of the project. The Emirati firm also plans to develop an economic zone near the terminal.
The agreements were signed by Pakistani Communication, Railways and Maritime Affairs Minister Shahid Ashraf Tarar and H.E Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, chairman of ports, customs and free zone corporation (PCFC) of the Dubai government.
“DP World has long standing proud presence in Pakistan witnessed by mutually rewarding engagement. Building on the unwavering trust and partnership, the two brotherly countries have decided to further consolidate the economic cooperation through landmark projects,” Tarar said at the signing ceremony in Davos.
“The signing of Investment Framework Agreements highlights the importance of Pakistan as gateway to Asia and commercial dividends associated with its strategic location.”
Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, who is also the CEO of DP World, said Pakistan was a growing market and they were proud of contributing to its trading ability.
“Pakistan is a growing market, and an important trade corridor to Central Asia. We are proud to have contributed to its trading ability through our operations at Qasim International Container Terminal and are honored to work with various Pakistani government organizations to develop new freight systems and with Port Qasim Authority to enhance port connectivity and investment,” he said.
“These will help serve Pakistan’s growing population, forecast to approach 300 million in the coming decade, and integrate it further into the wider region.”
For the development of the projects, DP World will act on behalf of the Dubai government, while Pakistan Railways and Port Qasim Authority will act on behalf of the Pakistan government.
The rail-based dedicated freight corridor is planned to run from Karachi Port on the Arabian Sea to the Pipri Marshalling Yard, approximately 50 km away. This will decongest the Pakistani port city of Karachi beside improving road safety. It will significantly improve efficiency, transport times and reduce the overall cost of logistics, according to Shah.
The two other inter-governmental framework agreements aim to strengthen bilateral relations in marine and logistics sectors.
Shah said a framework agreement was also signed with Pakistan’s Ministry of Maritime Affairs to dredge a navigation channel. 
“This framework agreement will also see the development of an economic zone at Port Qasim, which aims to attract more than US $3 billion of foreign direct investment,” he said, adding that it aimed to maximize economic activity in Pakistan.

Saudi FM calls

on PM Kakar

PM lauds role

 of the Saudi

leadership

Centreline Report

DAVOS: Pakistan Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar met with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan in Davos, PM Kakar’s office said on Thursday, adding the two figures reviewed “regional developments” at the meeting.
The meeting between the Saudi foreign minister and PM Kakar took place on the sidelines of the 54th World Economic Forum (WEF) summit in Davos, according to PM Kakar’s office.
It occurred hours after Pakistan said it had targeted “terrorist hideouts” in Iran’s Sistan-Baluchistan province after Tehran this week conducted an airstrike against alleged militants in Pakistan’s southwest.
“The Prime Minister underlined the strategic importance of close brotherly relations between Pakistan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, rooted in common cultural heritage and shared interests. He emphasized that Pakistan’s desire to deepen bilateral engagement including through trade, investment and people-to-people exchanges,” PM Kakar’s office said in a statement.
“The two sides also reviewed regional developments. Prime Minister Kakar noted that close brotherly relations between the two countries were a factor of regional stability.”
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have deep cultural, defense and economic ties, deeply rooted in history and religion.
PM Kakar appreciated the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and underlined the highest esteem the people of Pakistan held for the leadership and the people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, his office said.
The Pakistan premier arrived in Switzerland on Sunday to attend the 54th WEF summit, where he was scheduled to attend three thematic events, including ‘Preventing An Era of Global Conflict,’ ‘Restoring Faith in the Global System,’ and ‘Preventing Economic Fracture.’
But, Pakistan’s foreign ministry said the prime minister had cut short his visit and would return to Islamabad by Thursday night.
“He has decided to cut short his visit in view of the ongoing developments,” foreign ministry spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said at a press briefing.
Nuclear-armed Pakistan and the neighboring Iran are both battling simmering insurgencies along their sparsely populated border regions.
The cross-border attacks add to multiple crises across the Middle East, with Israel waging a war against Hamas in Gaza and Houthi rebels in Yemen attacking commercial vessels in the Red Sea.

HAFIZABAD: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif has finally joined the party’s electioneering ahead of the February 8 nationwide polls after keeping a long silence since his first public appearance on the October 21 homecoming.

Political parties are expediting their electioneering with a series of manifestos, new pledges and past performances. Besides, the PML-N and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) are eyeing the Prime Minister’s Office and desperately swaying voters to elect them to power.

Just a day after Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari’s ‘lion is hiding’ tirade, Nawaz responded to his political rivals and addressed his maiden public speech in Hafizabad on Thursday in connection with the upcoming elections.

SAP S/4HANA Implementation at Tufail Multichem Industries Pvt Ltd.

Islamabad, December 18, 2024: The implementation of SAP S/4HANA positions Tufail Multichem Industries Pvt Ltd. as a technologically advanced and future-ready organization. This move not only ensures current competitiveness but also lays the foundation for scalability and adaptability in the years to come. TMC Pvt. Limited (Formerly Tallymarks Consulting), serving as the Systems Integrator (SI), played a crucial role in the successful execution of the project.

Saquib Ahmad, Managing Director, SAP Pakistan, Iraq, and Afghanistan said, “The implementation of S/4HANA at Tufail Multichem marks the initial phase of an advancing technology roadmap. This implementation will provide an elevated standard of compliance and control for daily operations, offering a more profound, timely, and precise understanding of business operations and its finances.”

Tufail Multichem holds a significant position in the Chemicals industry. Their product portfolio, serving as the raw material for various well-known household items, coupled with a customer base that includes leading multinational brands and a continually expanding export business, renders Tufail Multichem a crucial and highly visible entity in SAP’s portfolio.

Adeel Shahid, Senior Executive Director, Tufail Multichem said, “At Tufail Multichem, the adoption of SAP S/4HANA marks a pivotal step in our commitment towards operations excellence. We believe this implementation will empower us to streamline processes, enhance critical decision-making, and elevate our business to new heights of efficiency and innovation. We are excited about the transformative potential this cutting-edge technology brings to our operations, enabling us to better serve our customers and drive sustainable growth.”

The project’s scope encompasses SAP modules covering Finance and Controlling, Sales and Distribution, Supply Chain, Production Planning, Plant Maintenance, Quality, and Human Capital Management. Additionally, SAP Fiori apps are integrated to enhance the user-friendly execution of daily tasks. Tufail Multichem needed an ERP system that could scale easily, be easily managed, possess robust built-in controls, and be integrated into a solutions ecosystem to meet future requirements. SAP S/4HANA emerged as the optimal choice.

These solutions are anticipated to enhance efficiency and transparency in business operations, leading to cost efficiencies (with an expected 10% – 15% cost reduction directly attributable to SAP controls and visibility), revenue growth, or both. Moreover, it will offer a scalable solution capable of addressing the operational requirements of a growing and diversifying business.

Abdul Haseeb, Managing Director, TMC Pvt. Limited, commented, “We believe in fostering a robust IT ecosystem. By incorporating SAP modules, we’re paving the way for seamless and user-friendly business operations. This strategic partnership with SAP, especially in implementing S/4HANA, not only ensures scalability and robust controls for Tufail Multichem but also envisions a future-ready solution that adds value to the entire industry, driving business productivity and creating boundless opportunities.”

Tufail Multichem will provide its customers with a better, more seamless, and predictable customer experience. An efficient sales and operations planning cycle assures greater predictability in customer order fulfillment. Integrated processes with real-time visibility will ensure customers have up-to-date information related to pricing, payments, lead times, shipments, returns, etc.  The controls embedded in SAP will guarantee the accurate application of customer-specific terms, minimizing transactional errors and the necessity for frequent reconciliations.

Furthermore, the distinctive nature of the project, involving the replication of an existing landscape, restructuring of business entities, and the transition from on-site hosting to the cloud, all within a single project, adds value from both a thought leadership and delivery approach perspective.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Senator Sherry Rehman Thursday termed Pakistan’s response to Tehran’s “unprovoked” attack a “thoughtful response”, as the country’s army launches strikes on terrorist hideouts operating in the Iranian territories. 

the senior politicians said Iran’s attack on Pakistani sovereignty was unexpected.

After Iran launched a surprise attack in Balochistan claiming to target a militant outfit late Tuesday night, Pakistan’s military targeted terrorist hideouts inside the Iranian border today.

Iran’s attack, which the Foreign Office termed “unprovoked and “unacceptable”, left two children dead and injured three girls, stating that it violated the country’s sovereignty.

Pakistan’s retaliation, however, killed a number of terrorists during the intelligence-based operation — codenamed “Marg Bar Sarmachar”, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement today.

“This morning Pakistan undertook a series of highly coordinated and specifically targeted precision military strikes against terrorist hideouts in Siestan-o-Baluchistan province of Iran,” the FO mentioned.

“If Iran had any concerns, it should have informed Pakistan,” Senator Rehman insisted, highlighting the need for restraint by both countries.

She maintained that Pakistan has old ties with Iran and there is a need to improve relations. However, she also acknowledged that such skirmishes along the Pakistan-Iran border have been taking place for many years.

“It would be better if the two countries do not allow this kind of conflict to escalate further,” she added.

‘Fitting diplomatic and military steps’

Former prime minister Shehbaz Sharif asserted that Pakistan’s reaction was to ensure its territorial integrity and keeping the well-being of the citizens “paramount”.

Taking to X — formerly Twitter — the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz president wrote: “Pakistan has taken fitting diplomatic and military steps for peace and security. We seek peace between our two neighbourly countries but reserve the right to defend ourselves.”