In response to mounting protests and concerns, Federal Minister for Industries and Production, Rana Tanveer Hussain, has addressed fears surrounding the Utility Stores Corporation (USC).
The minister has firmly denied any plans to shut down the USC and outlined the government’s approach to its future.
During a meeting with USC officials, including the Managing Director and the Secretary for Industries and Production, Tanveer assured that any restructuring would involve consultation with employees and stakeholders.
He confirmed that while the USC is not slated for closure, the government is considering restructuring options, including a new subsidy mechanism to enhance transparency.
Following these reassurances, USC employees ended their sit-in protest at D Chowk, which began on August 26 over the potential closure.
The protest, driven by job security concerns, had threatened to continue if the closure was not reversed.
Authorities had previously sealed off the area with containers to control access to the red zone.
Founded in 1971, the Utility Stores Corporation operates around 4,000 stores nationwide, providing essential goods at discounted rates.