The Utility Stores Employees Union announced a nationwide strike and protests in Islamabad on Monday in response to the government’s decision to shut down utility stores and eliminate subsidies.

This comes after the federal government decided to shut down utility stores and discontinue subsidies, triggering waves of anxiety among the over 11,000 employees, who have now threatened to go on strike.

Despite rising inflation, subsidies for general consumers at utility stores were removed a year ago. Only those registered in the Benazir Income Support Program were receiving a 25% subsidy on five basic necessities. Now, even that is set to be discontinued, angering the citizens.

Across the country, the prices at 4,400 utility stores have already exceeded open market rates. The price of a 10kg bag of flour has risen from Rs650 to Rs1,500, ghee from Rs380 to Rs450, and sugar from 109 to Rs160 - all about Rs10 higher than regular market prices.

The government has given a two-week deadline to close down the utility stores, prompting employees to start preparations for protests. Following the decision, all utility stores in Lahore have already been shut down.

Raja Maskin Ali, the union secretary general, said in a statement they would stage a sit-in at the D-Chowk in the federal capital on Monday and “will strongly resist the decision.”