Utility stores wind up operations nationwide
A USC notification issued by the Ministry of Industries and Production stated that the decision followed directives from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on June 28, as well as a board of directors meeting held earlier this month.
"All the sales and purchases at utility stores have been closed with effect from July 31, except shifting of stock from stores to warehouses and returned to vendors and handing-taking of stores' inventories," the notification read, directing strict compliance with the order.
Additionally, sales through the business-management suite Odoo have been permanently discontinued as of today, a second USC notification read. "All point of sale systems connected with Odoo will be rendered inactive across all stores effective July 31," the notice read.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
5 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Pakistan dispatches 100 tonnes of aid to Gaza under PM's directive
Listen to article Pakistan has sent another shipment of humanitarian aid to Gaza on the special directive of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed on Sunday. At a ceremony marking the dispatch, Dar and National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Chairman Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik attended as chief guests. Senior officials from the Foreign Ministry, the NDMA and representatives of the Alkhidmat Foundation were also present. During the event, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister reaffirmed Pakistan's unwavering solidarity with the Palestinian people, called for an immediate ceasefire and protection of civilians, and urged a lasting political settlement based on a two‑state solution along pre‑1967 borders, in line with international law and UN Security Council resolutions. Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50, today oversaw the dispatch of Pakistan's 17th humanitarian consignment to Gaza—100 tonnes of essential supplies, including food, medical equipment, and powdered milk. During the event, the DPM/FM:… — Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) August 3, 2025 Dar praised the NDMA, the Alkhidmat Foundation and other welfare organisations for ensuring the timely dispatch of aid. 'Pakistan stands with the people of Palestine in this difficult time and will make every possible effort to meet their needs,' he said. The Palestinian ambassador to Pakistan thanked the Pakistani people for their continued support and generosity. The 17th consignment, carrying 100 tonnes of relief goods, departed from Islamabad International Airport on a special flight. The federal government has planned to deliver 200 tonnes of aid to Gaza in two special flights, with the remaining 100 tonnes to be dispatched in the coming days. Read More: Pakistan sends tenth humanitarian aid shipment to Palestine The latest consignment includes 65 tonnes of ready-to-eat meals, 20 tonnes of powdered milk for children, 5 tonnes of biscuits and 10 tonnes of medicines. With this flight, Pakistan has so far delivered 1,715 tonnes of aid to Gaza through 17 consignments. The total will reach 1,815 tonnes once the next shipment is sent in the coming days.
Express Tribune
21 hours ago
- Express Tribune
In 2nd accident Pak Business Express derails in Lahore
Railway workers toil to restore the track near Kala Shah Kaku, where the Islamabad Express derailed — a crash that injured dozens and narrowly avoided a worse tragedy. Rail operations were restored on Saturday after safety clearance. Photo: NNI Pak Business Express derailed on Saturday near the washing line area in Lahore, just days after it was inaugurated by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. According to Express News, the derailment has not yet been attributed to a specific cause. Railway officials said the train went off track in the early hours, prompting the immediate dispatch of rescue teams. No casualties or injuries were reported in the incident. The premier had inaugurated the Pak Business Express at the Lahore Railway Station earlier this week. Designed to meet international standards of comfort and service, the train marked a significant upgrade from traditional railway offerings. Meanwhile, the railway track near Kala Shah Kaku was restored on Saturday, and a fitness report was issued accordingly. On Friday, over 150 passengers were injured when five coaches of the Islamabad Express overturned near Kala Shah Kaku railway station — just 15 kilometres from Lahore - in a terrifying derailment that narrowly avoided plunging the train into a ravine. The train, en route from Lahore to Rawalpindi with hundreds of passengers aboard, met with the accident near the rugged terrain surrounding Kala Shah Kaku. It took over 17 hours to repair the 770-foot damaged section of track, with more than 400 laborers using traditional tools to manually install track joints. Among the injured was Fazal Rahim, a resident of Swat, currently receiving treatment at THQ Hospital Muridke. Speaking to media, he recounted the moments leading to the derailment, saying: "The train was speeding excessively. Even near Shahdara, there were noticeable jolts. When we reached Kala Shah Kaku, the accident happened. There was darkness, panic, and screams everywhere. It was terrifying." Expressing his frustration, Fazal added, "The world has moved on to bulletproof, high-speed trains, but our system remains the same, an absolute tragedy. It's the government's responsibility to provide the people with better facilities, but it's failing miserably." Preliminary findings The derailment of the Islamabad Express near Kala Shah Kaku has been attributed to a rail fracture, a preliminary joint investigation report revealed on Saturday. The accident occurred near Shahdara Station, where the track was found to be severely damaged. Investigators revealed that the derailment was caused by a "fresh breakage off the rail," suggesting that the condition of the track was fragile at several points along the route. The joint report confirmed that the train went off track due to a broken rail joint, with sections of the track visibly fractured at the crash site. It further noted that the fragile condition of the railway lines contributed to the derailment. In response to the incident, the Ministry of Railways has constituted a three-member inquiry committee to determine the full cause of the accident and assign responsibility. The committee comprises Additional General Manager Infrastructure Hammad Raza, Chief Mechanical Engineer Carriage Yusuf Laghari and Director Civil Works Arif ur Rehman. The committee has been directed to submit a comprehensive inquiry report to the Ministry of Railways within seven days. Meanwhile, an initial report has already been submitted to Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi. It confirms that the derailment was triggered by a broken joint. However, it adds that further aspects of the incident will be examined in the detailed inquiry. Over 150 passengers were left injured on Friday when five coaches of the Islamabad Express passenger train overturned near Kala Shah Kaku railway station, just 15 kilometres from Lahore, in a terrifying derailment that narrowly avoided plunging the train into a ravine. The train, en route from Lahore to Rawalpindi with hundreds of passengers aboard, met with the accident near the rugged terrain surrounding Kala Shah Kaku. According to injured passengers, the sudden jolts began as the train crossed the stretch near the station, causing five rear coaches to veer off the eastern side of the track and overturn. Meanwhile, the locomotive dragged four passenger coaches over 500 metres off the rails before coming to a halt.
Express Tribune
21 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Sugar import plan raises many eyebrows
Listen to article Last year, sugar mills had submitted sugar stock figures to the federal government and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had been very happy with these stock figures. Based on the stock figures, the government had allowed the export of sugar which was linked with Rs2 per kg increase in retail price. It was agreed that sugar export would be halted if the retail prices went up from the benchmark price. But that price increased from the ex-mill price of Rs141 per kg to Rs200 per kg. Now, a game of imports has started with the Ministry of National Food Security and Research announcing on Saturday that the government is going to import 0.2 million tons of sugar to intervene to overcome sugar prices hike. The traders and sugar mill owners are both beneficiaries in the dirty game of price hike. First, the government allowed the sugar mills to pocket millions of dollars by exporting sugar and even raised prices in the domestic market. Now, the government is betting on the sugar import rather than taking strict action against the mills which had given an understanding that they would not increase the prices of the sweetener. The Ministry of National Food Security and Research in a statement announced the government's decision to import 200,000 tons of sugar. A spokesperson said the final order for sugar import has been placed and the import of sugar has entered the final stage after the opening of the tender. He said sugar is being imported from China. "The first shipment of imported sugar will reach Pakistan in early September 2025," the spokesperson said, adding that the aim of the import is to ensure the availability of sugar in the market and maintain price balance. He added that the relevant committee formed by the government also successfully obtained a discount at the time of purchase in the international market. The arrival of imported sugar, he said, will maintain price balance in the local market and directly benefit consumers. Federal Minister for Food Security Rana Tanveer Hussain recently claimed during a press conference that sugar is available in abundant quantities and its price is within the reach of the common man. He ruled out the claims that sugar was first exported and is now being imported to allow a mafia to mint money. "Except for one or two years, sugar has historically been exported in large quantities and then imported to meet demands. The sugar issue emerges seasonally like monsoon frogs," he remarked. He said the Sugar Advisory Board includes federal ministers, representatives from all four provinces, and relevant stakeholders. The government allowed sugar export in a phased manner. At the time when the export request was made, the global market price of sugar was $750 per ton. Hussain also claimed that there is a difference of Rs8 to Rs10 per kg between ex-mill and retail prices. After the export, he said, the local price of sugar dropped to Rs119 per kg. He said the government has maintained a buffer stock of 500,000 tons. Despite an increase in the cultivated area, sugar production fell. "As soon as we learned about the shortfall, the prime minister halted the remaining sugar export and 40,000 tons of sugar was not exported," he added.
