Federal Cabinet Approves Closure of Utility Stores Corporation; All Employees to Be Laid Off
Islamabad: The federal cabinet, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, has formally approved the shutdown of the Utility Stores Corporation across Pakistan. With this decision, all employees associated with the corporation will be terminated from their positions.
The decision was made during a cabinet meeting held on Friday in Islamabad. According to reports, the Utility Stores had already been shut down on July 31, and the Ministry of Industries and Production had issued a formal notification after securing approval from the Prime Minister and the Board of Directors.
The Utility Stores Corporation was established in 1971 to provide affordable essential items to low-income citizens. Initially starting with just 20 stores under the Staff Welfare Organization, the network expanded over the years to over 4,000 stores nationwide, employing around 17,000 staff members.
In another key decision, the Prime Minister expressed strong displeasure over recent increases in medicine prices and returned the summary related to drug pricing to the concerned authorities for revision.
### PM Addresses Federal Cabinet on Flood Relief Efforts
During the cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also addressed the recent natural disasters, highlighting the devastation caused by torrential monsoon rains, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where cloudbursts and flash floods caused major destruction. He said that areas like Buner, Swabi, Swat, Mansehra, and Shangla have been severely impacted.
The Prime Minister praised federal ministers, NDMA Chairman, and Pakistan Army for their active roles in relief efforts. He emphasized that recovery efforts must continue without delay and stressed the need for heartfelt cooperation with affected families, stating that no compensation can truly replace the loss of loved ones.
He added that Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir accompanied him during the visit to Buner and is personally overseeing the relief operations.
The Prime Minister also reflected on the deadly floods of 2022 in Sindh and noted that over 700 lives have been lost in natural calamities this year, with over 400 deaths in KP alone. He said the economic loss in 2022 was immense, while this year, the human toll is significantly higher.
The PM expressed sorrow over illegal construction near riverbanks and the rampant deforestation in Galiyat, calling such actions unacceptable.
### UK Announces £13.3 Million Aid for Flood-Affected Pakistanis
The United Kingdom has pledged £13.3 million in aid for victims of recent monsoon floods in Pakistan. This assistance will support over 223,000 people in seven flood-affected districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Balochistan, and Punjab.
According to British High Commissioner Jane Marriott, the UK is working closely with Pakistani authorities to strengthen disaster response efforts. The aid package will provide essential supplies such as dry food rations, clean water, and medicines.
