The meeting was attended by Rana Ihsan Afzal, Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Commerce and Industry; Ahsan Ali Mangi, Secretary Industries and Production; the Chief Executive Officer of the Pakistan Stone Development Company (PASDEC); Additional Secretary; Joint Secretary; and representatives of the private sector.

Addressing the meeting, Haroon Akhtar Khan said the Steering Committee had been constituted under the vision of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif to address longstanding challenges facing the marble and natural stone sector, unlock its export potential and modernize the industry in line with international standards.

He emphasized that Pakistan’s marble industry had significant potential to contribute to industrial growth, employment generation and foreign exchange earnings, provided that the sector moved beyond conventional extraction practices towards modern processing, quality finishing and higher value-added products.

The Advisor informed the meeting that four technical groups had been constituted under the Steering Committee to develop focused recommendations on marble finishing, technology upgradation, value addition and export promotion. These groups will work towards identifying practical solutions to industry-specific challenges and developing a roadmap for strengthening the sector’s competitiveness in international markets.

Haroon Akhtar Khan underscored the government’s commitment to working closely with the private sector to address operational bottlenecks, improve the industry’s business environment and facilitate sustainable growth. He said the Steering Committee would provide a platform for identifying challenges and formulating actionable solutions in consultation with industry stakeholders.

The private sector representatives highlighted several structural constraints affecting the industry’s performance, particularly outdated extraction techniques, inadequate access to modern technology, logistical challenges, limited value addition and insufficient access to international markets.

They observed that conventional blasting methods used in quarrying often result in substantial wastage of valuable marble, reducing the quantity of usable stone and undermining the industry’s overall productivity. They stressed the need to adopt modern extraction technologies and improve processing techniques to minimize wastage and maximize the commercial value of the country’s natural stone resources.

The participants also emphasized that improving finishing standards, product quality and processing capabilities was essential to making Pakistani marble more competitive in international markets. They called for greater attention to logistics, market development and export facilitation to enable local producers to access new buyers and expand their international footprint.

The private sector representatives further highlighted the importance of organizing dedicated exhibitions for the marble and natural stone industry to showcase Pakistani products, connect manufacturers with international buyers and create new business and export opportunities.

They also stressed the commercial potential of marble handicrafts and handcrafted designs, noting that value-added products featuring intricate workmanship could command greater market recognition and create additional opportunities for artisans and businesses.

The participants observed that marble’s durability and long-term utility should be highlighted through greater public awareness to encourage its wider use in construction and architectural applications.

Reaffirming the government’s commitment, Haroon Akhtar Khan said the Ministry would work in close coordination with industry stakeholders to address the sector’s challenges and develop a comprehensive framework for its modernization and growth.

He expressed confidence that improved technology, reduced wastage, higher value addition, better finishing standards and stronger export linkages could help transform Pakistan’s marble and natural stone industry into a more competitive and productive sector.

The meeting concluded with an emphasis on coordinated efforts between the government and private sector to translate the objectives of the National Marble and Natural Stone Policy 2026–2030 into practical measures for sustainable industrial development and export growth.