The federal government has announced that it will permanently close down all utility stores across Pakistan starting from July 10. This decision affects thousands of workers, with more than 5,000 employees being moved to a surplus staff pool, where they will be offered a Voluntary Separation Scheme to leave their jobs. In the meantime, the government is gradually winding down operations at the stores that are still running. All goods and stock from these stores will be moved to warehouses, where they will either be returned or sold through auctions. This marks a major change in how essential goods will be distributed to the public in the future.
