Empty utility stores in Chitral prove govt’s empty promises

CHITRAL: The PTI government failed to provide any relief to the people of Chitral in the holy month of Ramazan as all the Utility Store Corporation of Pakistan’s outlets in the valley remained without stock of essential commodities.

The utility stores have been without supplies since the PTI came to power in the federal government in Aug 2018.  A few days ago, the federal government  announced a Rs2 billion  Ramazan package to provide  essential food items to the consumers on subsidized rates from the utility stores across the country.

People of Chitral were expecting that at least in Ramazan they would get some relief  from the utility stores. But when they visited the utility outlets, this claim of the PTI also tuned out to be yet another big hollow as except shampoo and soaps the stores had no other consumer items.

For the last nine months the utility stores in Chitral have not received any supply from the federal government and about 100 people working in these stores are worried about their jobs.

On the other hand, with the start of the holy months shopkeepers started fleecing consumers and the prices of consumers items started sky-rocketing in the bazaars.

The vendors of fruits and vegetables and other items have increased rates citing rising transportation costs in the wake of the government decision to increase prices of petroleum products.

On the direction of the provincial government, the district administration set up Ramazan sasta bazaars in Chitral and Drosh town in coordination with the local traders but the traders have expressed their inability to sell basic kitchen items on reduced rates.

Reporting: Muhkam Uddin Ayuni