Ahmed Khan Malik

The lack of prudent policies has deprived Balochistan of benefiting from the immense gemstone potential, which could otherwise have extended enormous returns to the province.

Balochistan remains a land of vast and largely unexplored natural wealth. Among its many hidden treasures, gemstones hold significant promise for economic development – a potential that remains strikingly underutilised, experts on mines and minerals told WealthPK. They noted that the geology of Balochistan is highly favourable for the formation of various precious and semi-precious stones.

The province’s mountainous terrains and mineral-rich zones harbour deposits of quartz, topaz, garnet, tourmaline, peridot, aquamarine, and even rare finds like zircon and sphene. Districts like Chagai, Khuzdar, Kalat, and Lasbela are particularly known for their gemstone-bearing formations. “Despite these promising indicators, much of Balochistan’s gemstone wealth lies buried beneath the surface, awaiting proper exploration and investment,” said Quetta-based Nusrat Baloch.

He pointed out that one of the key barriers to tapping into Balochistan’s gemstone potential is the lack of modern mining infrastructure. “Most of the extraction is done through traditional, small-scale methods that are both inefficient and damaging to the environment. There is limited access to cutting and polishing technology, meaning that raw stones are often sold cheaply to middlemen, who then export them to international markets at a significant markup,” he said.

“This results in a value chain that benefits outsiders more than local communities and deprives Pakistan of foreign exchange earnings,” Nusrat said. About the institutional and policy challenges, he said that another critical issue is the absence of a coordinated policy or institutional framework to regulate and promote the gemstone industry in Balochistan. “Licensing procedures are often opaque, and regulatory oversight is minimal, leading to smuggling and unreported extraction.”

“Moreover, the lack of geological surveys and mapping means that much of the province’s gemstone potential remains unquantified, discouraging both local and foreign investment,” Nusrat noted. To harness its gemstone potential, Faizullah Kakar said Balochistan needs a multi-pronged approach. About the geological surveying, he said that comprehensive and modern surveys should be conducted to identify and catalog gemstone reserves.

“As far as infrastructure development is concerned, investment in mining technology, transportation, and processing units will help add value locally,” he said. About the training and skill development, Kakar noted establishing gemology institutes and training centres can empower local youth with the skills needed for cutting, grading, and marketing gemstones. He also proposed regulatory reforms as transparent and investor-friendly policies are essential to attract legitimate mining ventures and discourage illegal trade.

Kakar said that non-utilisation of gemstone potential so far is missed economic opportunity, especially in a region struggling with poverty and underdevelopment as the gemstone industry could generate employment, boost exports, and stimulate allied sectors like tourism and handicrafts. “With the right mix of policy support and private investment, Balochistan can transform its raw potential into a thriving industry,” he said

Credit: INP-WealthPk