Govt moves to shut down Utility Stores by 10th

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has decided to shut down its public retail sector, the Utility Stores Corporation (USC) by July 10, 2025, with a voluntary separation scheme (VSS) package approved by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for all affected employees. The decision was formalized during a high-level meeting held on June 30 at the USC head office in Islamabad, chaired by the Managing Director of USC and attended by senior officials, including the Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Industries and Production and several general managers.

According to the meeting minutes available with The News, essential staff will be retained temporarily to manage the affairs post-closure. A comprehensive VSS package will be developed for USC employees, and the record of all fixed assets will be compiled before the complete shutdown.

“All utility stores will cease operations by July 2, 2025,” stated the minutes, adding that a final decision regarding the closure of operations on the inventory software “Oddo” will be made after July 1.

The USC has directed all zonal and regional managers to oversee the shutdown process. Stock from stores will be shifted to warehouses and returned to vendors under supervision. IT equipment, racks, and fixtures will also be reclaimed from all store locations, including USC headquarters and zonal offices.

Notices will be issued to vacate rented store premises by August 1, 2025. A dedicated closure operations department will also be constituted to oversee the entire process. Meanwhile, the General Manager (IT)/Aarsol has been tasked with developing a digital module to track USC’s fixed assets.