The protest by Utility Store employees in Islamabad has entered its second week, with workers from all three unions actively participating in the demonstration. The protest began last week in response to the federal government’s decision to shut down the Utility Stores Corporation.
The workers have vowed to continue their sit-in until their demands are addressed, with final negotiations between the government and the employees expected to take place today.
The decision to close the Utility Stores was made on August 16 during a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The move is part of the government’s broader plan to abolish 28 departments across five ministries, aiming to reduce administrative costs and streamline operations.
Following this decision, the federal government also terminated the Utility Stores Corporation, ending a Rs50 billion subsidy that had supported the stores.
Federal Minister for Industry and Production, Rana Tanveer Hussain, explained that the restructuring of the Utility Stores is intended to simplify the tax system and restore investor confidence. He also expressed concerns about the subsidy program’s effectiveness, noting that it was not reaching its intended beneficiaries due to the involvement of certain employees and officials.
Despite the shutdown, the minister emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring that future subsidies reach those who genuinely need them.