Utility Stores Corporation records 17% increase despite lack of subsidies

KARACHI: Despite the unavailability of governmental subsidies, monthly sales at the Utility Stores Corporation have increased immensely across Pakistan as a whole with a 17% increase for January compared to December.

Its total sales figure for January 2025 amounts to Rs1.80 billion, up by Rs1.53 billion during December. The Peshawar Zone led the way with the highest sales of Rs359 million, followed closely by the Faisalabad Zone at Rs348 million and the Islamabad Zone at Rs279 million.

Other notable zones are Lahore, with Rs244 million; Abbottabad, with Rs213 million; and Multan, which stood at Rs178 million in sales for January 2025. 

The sales for Karachi Zone, on the other hand, remained quite low, standing at Rs87 million; the Sukkur Zone was Rs58 million; and the lowest sales were in Quetta, with Rs33 million.

Interestingly, the sales increase happens at a time when the federal cabinet has decided to shut down the operations of the Utility Stores Corporation across Pakistan.

A seven-member committee headed by the federal minister for Industry and Production has been formed to oversee the process. The committee will evaluate the feasibility of placing the corporation’s employees in a surplus pool and further consider the possibility of merging them into other positions within government agencies.

Additionally, a coordination strategy with the Benazir Income Support Programme will be formulated for the timely distribution of Ramadan packages.

Notably, the Utility Stores Corporation has a legacy of supplying the common man with staple items at discounted rates and boasts 5,939 outlets in every nook and corner of the country.