On August 26, 2025, the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC), chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, is scheduled to approve a financial package worth Rs27 billion for Utility Stores Corporation (USC) employees after the government’s announcement to close all USC stores by July 31. The proposal, put forward by the Ministry of Industries, aims to support employees during Pakistan’s economic restructuring.
The Ministry of Industries has proposed a package worth Rs 27 billion to provide relief to employees of the Utility Store Corporation (USC) who have been affected by the nationwide closure of 4,300 stores. The upcoming Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) meeting will address a four-point agenda that includes an Rs 11 billion grant for state-run television, upgrades for refineries under the 2023 Oil Refining Policy, tariff issues related to the White Pipeline project, and relief from the Captive Transition Levy for electricity consumers.
On June 28, 2025, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved the shutdown of the USC, which ended all sales and purchases by July 31. This decision affects 20,000 employees and is part of Pakistan’s $7 billion IMF bailout agreement, aimed at reducing fiscal burdens amid a provincial poverty rate of 40%, according to a recent think tank report. The closure is part of broader subsidy cuts and has sparked discussions on social media, with posts like “Support USC workers!” gaining traction.
The package aims to address job losses in a sector that serves 10 million low-income consumers annually, according to USC data. Pakistan’s energy and retail reforms, including the $65 billion projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), are facing challenges such as a power sector debt of Rs423 billion. The approval from the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) could establish a precedent for supporting workers in privatised sectors, which is essential for economic stability.
