Employees continue protest against USC shutdown
Organised under the Joint Action Committee of USC, hundreds of workers staged a sit-in outside the USC headquarters in Islamabad, demanding an immediate reversal of the closure decision.
Protesters chanted slogans against the government and vowed to continue their demonstration until their demands are met.
The demonstrators warned that closing down Utility Stores would worsen inflation and push thousands of workers into unemployment. 'Shutting down Utility Stores would be like handing over 260 million citizens to the mafias of inflation,' one protester said. They also alleged that the government's move violates national labour and privatisation laws.
Due to the protest and heightened security measures, heavy traffic congestion was witnessed on roads leading to the Red Zone, particularly around the Parliament House, as authorities braced to avert possible movement of protesters towards the Red Zone.
Addressing the rally, senior Pakistan People's Party (PPP) leader Chaudhry Manzoor Hussain strongly criticised the government's privatisation policy. He said they are not just selling off Utility Stores; they are selling institutions such as Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation Ltd (Passco) as well. 'Tell me, is there any institution they do not want to sell?'
He reminded the crowd that Zulfikar Ali Bhutto had established the USC to eliminate profiteering and provide affordable daily essentials to the public under one roof.
Manzoor rejected the government's justification that Utility Stores are being shut down due to financial losses. He responded to official claims that Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) now fulfills the need: 'BISP does not support those earning Rs25,000 to Rs30,000 monthly. Where will they go?'
He also criticised the government's failure to implement its own minimum wage policy, claiming that the motive behind the closures is not reform but corruption and profiteering. 'They want to loot the system, and we will not let them do it,' he added.
Addressing public concerns over PPP's role in the federal government, Manzoor clarified: 'We are not part of the government. Being part of the government means having the prime minister or your ministers in the cabinet. We only support the government's good actions — we are not part of their corruption.'
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
40 minutes ago
- Express Tribune
NA passes resolutions against honour killings, digital harassment
Listen to article The National Assembly on Wednesday unanimously passed resolutions against honour killings and digital harassment, calling for targeted public awareness campaigns and the introduction of educational modules on digital ethics, privacy rights, and anti-harassment laws in institutions. The resolution against honour killings, moved by Pakistan Peoples Party's (PPP) Shahida Rehmani during a National Assembly session chaired by Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, strongly condemned so-called honour killings and called for zero tolerance toward such crimes, the Associated Press of Pakistan reported. It also proposed the formation of an interprovincial task force to ensure coordinated efforts to eradicate honour-based violence. The lower house adopted several other resolutions, including one calling for stronger legal frameworks against unauthorised video recording, cyber harassment, and digital defamation. The House adopted a resolution moved by the Secretary Women's Parliamentary Caucus Dr. Shahida Rehmani, condemning the Honor killings across Pakistan.#NASession @ShahidaRehmani — National Assembly 🇵🇰 (@NAofPakistan) August 6, 2025 Moved by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) MNA Syeda Nosheen Iftikhar, the resolution urged the federal government to strengthen law enforcement capacity and initiate public awareness campaigns on digital rights and safe reporting mechanisms. It also recommended the inclusion of educational modules on privacy, digital ethics, and anti-harassment laws in educational institutions and the establishment of dedicated complaint desks at police stations. The house also passed a resolution reaffirming Pakistan's historic and unwavering support for the Palestinian people and their legitimate struggle for freedom, dignity, and justice. The House, during the National Assembly session, unanimously adopted the resolution reaffirming Pakistan's historic and unwavering support for the Palestinian people and their legitimate struggle for freedom, dignity, and Justice. The resolution was moved by Member National… — National Assembly 🇵🇰 (@NAofPakistan) August 6, 2025 The resolution, tabled by PPP MNA Shazia Marri, expressed deep concern over the intensifying Israeli military aggression in Gaza, which has resulted in widespread civilian casualties and destruction of homes and infrastructure. It condemned the statements and actions of Israeli authorities suggesting a long-term occupation of Gaza, forced displacement of Palestinians, and systematic attempts to erase the territory's Palestinian identity. The resolution further denounced the use of starvation, siege tactics, and collective punishment, terming them war crimes under international law. The House called on the United Nations and the broader international community to fulfil their legal and moral obligations by taking immediate steps to end the aggression, ensure civilian protection, and facilitate unrestricted humanitarian access. It also called for accountability of the occupying power for war crimes and reaffirmed support for the Palestinian right to self-determination. Also Read: Pakistan, Turkiye conclude first bilateral amphibious naval drill The resolution urged the government to continue raising the issue on global platforms, including the United Nations and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Law Minister Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar moved the Whistleblower Protection and Vigilance Commission Bill, 2025 — already passed by the Senate — for consideration. However, an amendment moved by MNA Aliya Kamran referring the bill to the relevant committee was adopted. During the Question Hour, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) Syed Hussain Tariq, Chairperson of the Standing Committee on National Food Security and Research, raised concern over K-Electric's request for a waiver of Rs76 billion in unpaid dues and the practice of disconnecting entire feeders over non-payment by a few consumers. MNA Mir Munawar Ali Talpur also questioned the rationale behind collective punishment of entire neighbourhoods due to defaults by a few. Minister of State for Energy Abdur Rehman Khan Kanju and Parliamentary Secretary for Cabinet Division Sajid Mehdi responded to the queries. Speaker Sadiq took notice of the concerns and directed the minister to hold a special meeting with the concerned MNAs to find a viable solution.
Express Tribune
40 minutes ago
- Express Tribune
12 PTI workers arrested for rioting granted bail by Karachi court
A Karachi court on Tuesday granted bail to 12 workers of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) who were detained on charges of rioting, stone-pelting, and attacking police during a protest rally in the metropolis on August 5. The judicial magistrate for District East approved the bail pleas filed by defence lawyers and ordered the release of the accused against surety bonds of Rs5,000 each. Earlier, police had produced the accused before the court and sought their physical remand for further interrogation. According to the investigation officer (IO), the PTI workers had blocked the road during a rally led by senior party leaders, including Firdous Shamim Naqvi, Awab Alvi, and Raja Azhar, at Hassan Square. The IO claimed the protest turned violent when the accused pelted stones at law enforcers and attacked them with sticks, injuring a police officer identified as Aijaz. The IO requested physical custody of the accused for criminal record office verification, adding that several other suspects were still at large. Also Read: Karachi police lodge FIR against 550 PTI workers However, the court turned down police's request and granted bail to all 12 accused, who were identified as Nadir, Abdul Rafi, Sarfraz Jameel, Fida Rehman, Nabi Ahmad, Abdul Rashid, Muhammad Ibrahim, Younus Khan, Zar Wali, Muhammad Hanif, Sohail Ahmad Memon, and Adnan. Later, PTI Sindh President Haleem Adil Sheikh visited the city court to meet the released workers. Speaking to media persons on the occasion, he said that the bail order was a victory for truth and justice. The protest at Hassan Square was peaceful, and that the FIR registered against party workers was fabricated, he claimed. "Police used baton charge and fired shells on peaceful demonstrators," he alleged, adding that his name was not included in the FIR but was later inserted in the remand papers. He reiterated the party's resolve to continue the protest movement until PTI founder Imran Khan is released from jail. "The frustration among the youth is growing with each passing day. Continued incarceration of Imran Khan is not in the country's interest," he added.
Express Tribune
an hour ago
- Express Tribune
50,000 loans given under Punjab's 'Apni Chat Apna Ghar' project
Listen to article Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said that under the 'Apni Chat Apna Ghar' housing scheme, 50,000 citizens have been provided with interest-free loans in just six months. The scheme aims to provide affordable housing to citizens across the province. Addressing the ceremony at the Expo Centre in Lahore, Maryam highlighted the successful disbursement of loans to low-income families, Radio Pakistan reported on Wednesday. "The promise of 'Apni Chat Apna Ghar' has been fulfilled, and 50,000 citizens have now received the financial support they need to build their homes," she said. "اپنی چھت اپنا گھر" پاکستان کی تاریخ کا کامیاب ترین ہاؤسنگ پراجیکٹ... وزیراعلیٰ پنجاب مریم نواز شریف نے 6 ماہ میں اپنی چھت اپنا گھر کا وعدہ پورا کر دیا! — Government of Punjab (@GovtofPunjabPK) August 6, 2025 The event saw thousands of families who have benefited from the scheme, including many women and children. CM Maryam personally met with families who have already started constructing their homes under the project, offering her congratulations and encouragement. "Many of these families, including a rickshaw driver and a woman who spoke of her dream home, have expressed heartfelt gratitude," said the CM. One recipient from Rawalpindi emotionally recounted how his dream of owning a house was finally realised, thanking both Nawaz Sharif and Maryam for making it possible. The scheme provides loans for homes ranging from five to ten marlas, with more than Rs74 billion in interest-free loans already disbursed. The first phase of the project has seen a 99% loan recovery rate. آج جب میں نے اپنی چھت اپنا گھر سے مستفید ہونے والوں سے پوچھا کہ حاضرین میں سے کون کون اپنے گھر کی تعمیر مکمل کر چکا ہے تو ہال میں موجود تمام تین ہزار افراد نے ہاتھ کھڑے کر دیے۔ میرے لیے اس سے زیادہ باعثِ تسکین شاید ہی کوئی لمحہ ہو ! — Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) August 6, 2025 In the briefing, it was shared that more than 37,000 families have already received both installments of their loans, and over 52,000 homes are currently under construction. By the end of the month, 75,000 loans will have been disbursed, with an affordable monthly instalment of just Rs15,000, which has made the repayment process more manageable for beneficiaries. CM Maryam further stated that around 45,000 houses are currently being built under the scheme, and 9,000 homes have already been completed. "This initiative is about providing people with the means to build a better future for themselves and their families," she concluded.
