Thousands of Laid-Off Utility Stores Workers Face Starvation Amid Unlawful Deductions, Union Warns

Independent Report

Quetta: The All Pakistan National Workers Union of Utility Stores Corporation (USC) has condemned what it described as unlawful deductions from the government-sanctioned financial relief package, warning that the delay in payments is pushing thousands of former employees into severe financial distress.

In a statement issued by the union, Central President Anwar Zeb Khan Swati, Secretary General Raja Muhammad Miskeen, Senior Vice President Lala Ghulam Haider Khan Achakzai, Vice President Abdul Qayoom Barho, Deputy Secretary General Mushahid Khan Swati, and leader Wali Khan highlighted that the closure of Utility Stores has left over 12,000 employees unemployed, leaving many households on the verge of starvation.

The union criticized the USC management for deducting funds from the Rs19.50 billion relief package announced by the federal government for permanent, contractual, and daily-wage staff, branding the move as harsh and unjust. Despite five months having passed since the package was declared, affected employees are yet to receive their entitlements.

Union officials alleged that while USC conducts internal audits every three years, the management has resurrected objections from 2016 that had already been resolved, labeling the practice dishonest and calling for immediate accountability. They demanded an immediate halt to deductions from the approved relief meant for unemployed personnel.

Appealing directly to President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Yahya Afridi, the union urged urgent intervention to ensure full disbursement of the financial package, stressing that failure to act could deepen the humanitarian crisis confronting thousands of families. The leaders warned that prompt and firm measures are essential to safeguard the rights and welfare of USC employees and their dependents.