Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production Tasneem Ahmed Qureshi has asked the Utility Stores Corporation (USC) to expand its services to the rural areas.

Speaking at a briefing on performance and initiatives of USC in Islamabad on Friday, he said the coalition government is committed to provide maximum relief to masses across the country.

Managing Director of USC, Muhammad Ali Ammer informed the meeting that they are working hard to provide branded and non-branded items to the public at comparatively lower prices.

The Managing Director said that USC had put in operation as many as 200 mobile stores in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province to facilitate people at their doorsteps. Currently, 100 mobile stores were operational in Abbottabad zone and 100 others in Peshawar zone, which were facilitating people to buy products in their localities in addition to availing subsidy on essential food items.

He said the USC had been made a profitable entity and the consumers are reposing confidence in good quality of the food items.

In Balochistan, subsidised supply of essential commodities to the people is being ensured not only at utility stores but also through mobile stores.

He said that USC was always ready to work in coordination with federal, provincial governments and National Disaster Management Authority during natural hazards like floods and earthquakes.

Source: Radio Pakistan