Sources disclosed to ProPakistani that as part of the big restructuring of the corporation, almost 1,000 Utility Stores across the country will be closed by the federal government.
So far, the federal government has shut down 446 outlets; all the rest would suffer an equivalent fate based on their daily performance.
These closures are targeted primarily at such non-functioning outlets in rural areas that have been long depending on government subsidies. Sources revealed that it has also decided to close stores with low revenues and repeated losses.
Officials have assured that as of now, there would be no job losses, even though the fate of those regarding the 3,800 employees affected remains uncertain. Dismissals or redeployments are under consideration, and sources were added.
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The corporation is also considering ways of merging unprofitable stores into highly profitable ones to consolidate operations.
The government’s withdrawal from August onwards of subsidies for essential items like sugar, flour, and cooking oil, formerly called indispensable for low-income households, has led to the already announced decision.