The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) is scheduled to deliberate today on a financial support package for employees of the Utility Stores Corporation. The Ministry of Industries is prepared to present the proposal, which seeks approval of a Rs27 billion package.
Utility Stores Employee Support Package
The proposal aims to provide financial relief to employees of the Utility Stores Corporation after the formal closure of all outlets last month. The Ministry of Industries has compiled a summary that will be tabled before the ECC during its meeting chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb.
If approved, this package will provide much-needed support to thousands of employees impacted by the decision to shut down the nationwide utility store network. The move reflects the government’s effort to manage the financial implications of closing the long-running subsidized retail chain.
Broader Agenda of ECC Meeting
The ECC meeting today will focus on a four-point agenda, including:
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Approval of an Rs11 billion technical supplementary grant for the state television broadcaster.
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Review of refinery upgrade plans under the Pakistan Oil Refining Policy 2023.
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Discussion on tariff-related adjustments for the White Pipeline project from Thallian to Taru Jabba.
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Consideration of a proposal offering relief in the Captive Transition Levy for electricity consumers.
These agenda items reflect the government’s broader focus on energy policy, media financing, and consumer relief measures.
Closure of Utility Stores
The federal government had already decided to close down all utility stores across Pakistan by July 31, 2025. This decision came after approval from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in a high-level meeting held on June 28. The Ministry of Industries and Production later issued a notification confirming the complete shutdown of all sales and purchase operations under the Utility Stores Corporation.
The closure ended decades of subsidized retail operations, once considered a lifeline for low-income households. The decision was based on restructuring plans to redirect subsidies toward targeted programs rather than maintaining a costly nationwide retail network.
Support for Displaced Employees
With the closure of utility stores, thousands of employees faced uncertainty. The proposed Rs27 billion package seeks to mitigate this impact by offering financial support and compensation. Officials expect the ECC’s approval to ease the transition for affected workers while aligning with broader government reforms.
Today’s ECC meeting is crucial for determining how the government will address both employee welfare and key economic priorities. The decision on the Utility Stores financial package, combined with energy and media sector proposals, will signal the government’s approach to balancing fiscal discipline with social responsibility.
