Islamabad: A special relief package for the employees of the Utility Stores Corporation has been approved to provide financial protection to affected workers and their families.

According to Radio Pakistan, the package has been approved in line with the directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. To this respect, a meeting was held in Islamabad today between the management of the Utility Stores Corporation and employees under the chairmanship of Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Haroon Akhtar Khan.

During the meeting, a formal severance and compensation agreement was successfully signed between the Utility Stores Corporation and the National Workers Union. Under the agreement, affected employees will be provided a comprehensive severance and compensation package. Following the signing of the agreement, the process of distributing cheques to employees has already commenced.

As per the agreed framework, payments will be made in phases. Forty percent of the amount will be paid in the first phase, followed by two subsequent installments of 30 percent each. The agreement also includes annual increments for the years 2024 and 2025 as part of the compensation package. The majority of employees have voluntarily accepted the package, reflecting confidence in the government's commitment to workers' welfare.

Speaking on the occasion, Haroon Akhtar Khan said the government will extend full financial support to ensure timely and transparent payments to all eligible employees. He further said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif considers the provision of financial security to affected families as one of the government's foremost priorities, and all possible measures are being taken to ensure relief, fairness, and stability for the workforce.