Gemstone Mining: Gem association flays contract award

gemstone deposits worth billions of rupees in the region and only the local population has rights over them.

DIAMER: Pakistan Gemstones & Minerals Association (PGMA) has expressed resentment over the Gilgit-Baltistan government’s decision to issue a license for gem and precious stone exploration in the region to Mohsin Industries. PGMA Senior Vice President Saifuddin told APP on Friday that a large number people were attached with this business as it is the only source of income for them. He said the move would deal a serious blow to the economic conditions of the poor, which is not acceptable to the association. He further said that there were gemstone deposits worth billions of rupees in different districts of the region and only the local population has rights over them. He appealed to the government to review its decision.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 9^th, 2011.