The Senate Standing Committee on Industries and Production addressed concerns regarding the Utility Stores Corporation’s (USC) substantial financial troubles and the promised severance packages for laid-off workers on Wednesday. Senator Aon Abbas, committee chair, received assurances from the Ministry of Industries and Production that the impacted USC personnel would receive prompt payments. The ministry revealed that the USC, founded in 1971, faces debts exceeding Rs. 57 billion, including Rs. 30.8 billion owed to suppliers.

Despite halting operations, the USC surprisingly generated profits from 2021 to 2023. Officials attribute this to subsidies on essential goods under programs like the Ehsaas Ration Program, benefiting one million women nationwide.

The planned severance package for affected staff totals Rs. 25.255 billion. Rs. 15 billion will be reallocated and distributed in three installments until June 2026. The remaining funds will be generated from USC property sales. At the chairman’s urging, officials committed to timely payments.

The committee also examined the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA). Members questioned the abrupt dismissal of four board members due to allegedly poor performance following a Cabinet decision. The chairman demanded SMEDA present all related documents, including notification, dismissal notices, and Cabinet proceedings, along with its audit report at the next session. Senators Syed Masroor Ahsan, Mirza Muhammad Afridi, Mohsin Aziz, Saifullah Sarwar Khan Nyazee, Danesh Kumar, Dilawar Khan, Khalida Ateeb, and Husna Bano were present at the meeting.