In a significant step towards revitalising Pakistan’s marble and granite (dimension stone) industry, the Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR) and the All Pakistan Marble Manufacturers Association have agreed to establish a technical working group aimed at modernising the sector and enhancing its global competitiveness.
The decision was taken during a high-level consultative meeting chaired by PCSIR Director General Dr Sarwat Ismail. The newly formed working group will develop a joint framework focused on environmentally compliant value addition, phased upgradation of the industry, technology transfer, workforce training, and a stronger role for research and development. Enhancing collaboration between industry and research institutions, as well as promoting exports, will also be key priorities.
Representing the industry, Chairman of the All Pakistan Marble Industries Association, Muhammad Bilal Khan Mohmand, highlighted Pakistan’s vast reserves of marble, granite, onyx and related stones. Despite this natural advantage, he noted that the sector continues to rely heavily on traditional blasting techniques rather than modern, technology-based extraction and processing methods. This outdated approach has resulted in low-quality blocks and significant material loss, limiting Pakistan’s competitiveness in international markets. Consequently, the country’s share in the global marble trade remains at around just 1%.
Participants at the meeting acknowledged the important role played by PCSIR’s Dimension Stone Centre and stressed the need to further strengthen its capacity and effectiveness. Industry representatives identified several pressing challenges, including the lack of applied research aligned with market needs, limited access to modern machinery, and weak mechanisms for technology transfer. They also emphasised the importance of building linkages with leading marble-producing countries such as Brazil, Italy, Turkey, China and Iran to facilitate knowledge sharing and gradually increase Pakistan’s footprint in the global marble, granite and onyx markets.
Other speakers underscored the need to adapt international best practices to local conditions, develop practical training programmes tailored to export requirements, and establish internationally recognised testing and certification facilities. Particular emphasis was placed on the environmentally friendly and efficient utilisation of marble slurry and waste, an issue of growing importance for sustainable industrial development.
The meeting concluded with consensus that structured and regular engagement between PCSIR and industry stakeholders is essential. Such coordination would not only improve the relevance and impact of research projects but also help ensure better prioritisation and more efficient use of government resources. Participants agreed that strong institutional–industrial collaboration is a critical foundation for the sustainable growth and modernisation of Pakistan’s dimension stone sector.
