LAHORE: Jewellers community has demanded of the Government to immediately withdraw SRO 760 which is the main hurdle in developing the gems & jewellery sector in the country and enhancing its exports.
The demand was raised by the FPCCI Regional Standing Committee on Jewellery Manufacturers and Retailers, Punjab Sarafa Gems & Jewellers Association and Lahore Division Sarafa & Jewellers Association through a unanimous resolution approved in a joint meeting here.
The meeting was chaired by the convener of the FPCCI committee and Chairman Lahore Division Sarafa & Jewellers Association Muhammad Ahmad. Speaking on this occasion Muhammad Ahmad said Jewellers community had always played its role in development and progress of the country and is ready to pay its share of taxes but reject any policy given by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
It is astonishing that on one hand, the government is trying to develop Gems & Jewellery sector and on the other hand stopping exports of gold and gems studded ornaments through SRO 760. He said if government is really interested in pushing the sector upward then it should immediately withdraw the long controversial SRO.
He, however, welcomed the setting up of PM Task Force on Gems & Jewellery and said that this sector is being given some attention since creation of Pakistan. This sector is also considered as cottage industry and rules are being framed to develop it. Gold & Gems Art Promotion Council of Pakistan in collaboration with the European Union had carried out a study for pin pointing the issues faced by this sector and their probable solutions. He asked Engr. Gul Asghar Khan in charge of the PM Task Force to take guidance from this study besides taking the real representatives of the sector on board, which will pave the way for solving all the issues.
