Islamabad \u2013 First Lady Asifa Bhutto Zardari has called upon the federal government to urgently revisit its decision to close Utility Stores across Pakistan, describing the move as \u201cdeeply regrettable\u201d and warning of its severe economic and social consequences. Speaking during the Question Hour in the National Assembly, she voiced strong concerns about the widespread job losses and the devastating impact on the livelihoods of thousands of families.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Expressing dismay over the development, Asifa Bhutto stated, \u201cIt is with great regret that we have learned that hundreds of thousands of people are being rendered unemployed. The decision to shut down Utility Stores is unfortunate and unacceptable. The closure has left countless individuals without a source of income, pushing their families into economic distress.\u201d She stressed that such a policy decision amounted to an injustice to the working class and deserved urgent review.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The First Lady urged the federal government to take immediate notice of the matter, noting that the issue was not merely about a business operation but about the economic survival of countless households across the country. \u201cWe request the government to pay close attention to this matter once again. This is a highly alarming situation. The future of thousands of workers and their dependents is at stake, and the federal government must intervene before the damage becomes irreversible,\u201d she emphasized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Her remarks came against the backdrop of the complete shutdown of the Utility Stores Corporation (USC) operations nationwide. According to official reports, the federal government had directed the cessation of all sales of goods at Utility Stores as of August 1. Following this directive, all food items and other essential commodities were removed from the stores and transferred to designated warehouses. The operational systems of the USC, including its ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) network, were also deactivated from the same date.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The closure of Utility Stores has far-reaching implications. For decades, these outlets have served as a lifeline for millions of low- and middle-income citizens, offering subsidized rates on essential commodities such as flour, sugar, rice, pulses, and cooking oil. Many families depended on these stores to manage their household expenses amid rising inflation and an increasing cost of living. With their closure, an important safety net for affordable food access has been removed, potentially exacerbating food insecurity in vulnerable communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Moreover, the sudden halt in operations has directly impacted thousands of employees \u2014 from store clerks and cashiers to warehouse staff, delivery drivers, and administrative personnel. Beyond the direct job losses, ancillary sectors that supplied goods and services to the USC network are also facing economic setbacks. Economists have cautioned that such large-scale unemployment could have ripple effects across the economy, further shrinking consumer spending and deepening the ongoing economic crisis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Critics of the decision argue that rather than closing the network entirely, the government should have explored restructuring options, improving management efficiency, and tackling corruption or mismanagement within the USC. They point out that Utility Stores have historically played a stabilizing role in controlling prices of essential goods during periods of inflation and market instability. Removing them, they warn, could leave consumers at the mercy of private retailers, where price hikes are more difficult to regulate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Supporters of the closure, however, claim that the USC had been running at a loss for years, requiring heavy subsidies from the federal budget. They argue that its inefficiencies, outdated systems, and alleged corruption had made it unsustainable. But opponents counter that financial losses should not be the sole basis for dismantling a service that plays a vital role in ensuring food security, especially for the poor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Asifa Bhutto\u2019s intervention in the matter reflects growing political and public pressure on the government to reconsider the decision. Her statement aligns with the concerns of trade unions, civil society groups, and consumer rights organizations, many of which have launched petitions and awareness campaigns urging the reinstatement of the USC network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The First Lady\u2019s emphasis on the human cost of the closure \u2014 in terms of both unemployment and reduced public access to affordable goods \u2014 underscores the urgency of finding a balanced solution. Observers note that if the government is unwilling to reopen the USC in its previous form, it could still consider a modified model \u2014 for instance, operating fewer but more strategically located stores, partnering with the private sector for supply management, or digitizing and modernizing operations to cut costs without sacrificing service delivery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For now, however, the August 1 shutdown has left a visible void. Empty store shelves across the country stand as stark reminders of the decision\u2019s immediate consequences, while affected workers continue to seek clarity on severance pay, job alternatives, or possible redeployment to other public-sector institutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As inflationary pressures persist and economic uncertainty looms, the debate over the fate of Utility Stores is likely to intensify in the coming weeks. Whether the government will heed calls from influential figures like Asifa Bhutto Zardari \u2014 and from the public \u2014 to reverse or amend its decision remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: the closure has ignited a national conversation about the role of state-run institutions in safeguarding both economic stability and social welfare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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