Government plans to close electricity stores nationwide, says Ministry of Production

The secretary of the Ministry of Industry and Production (MoIP) confirmed on Friday that the government is considering closing all public service stores in the country.

Last week, the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet approved monthly subsidies to Utility Stores Corporation (USC) at a higher rate per household and a turnover tax of 1.25%.

In recent weeks, prices of some essential kitchen items have fallen on the open market, but have remained higher at USC. But in general, prices of essential items, especially those subsidized by USC, have increased.

At a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Industries and Production today, Senator Saifullah Niazi questioned whether the government would close down utility stores in the country.

MoIP Secretary Saif Anjum responded that the government was considering closing down the country’s utility stores, adding that work was underway to transfer employees of the utility stores to other institutions.

“The government wants to withdraw from non-essential businesses,” he said, adding that the aid given to utility stores eliminated the atmosphere of competition.

Speaking to the media, Standing Committee Chairman Aon Abbas Buppi said it was a “very sad day for the country”.

“When I asked them if they had any plans for the (utility store) employees, the government had no plan for that,” Buppi said, adding that about 60,000 employees would be laid off as a result of the move.

“It is not clear what would happen to thousands of employees,” he said. “This incompetent government can only bring unemployment.”