QWP slams move to shut utility stores

CHARSADDA: Qaumi Watan Party (QWP) provincial Chairman Sikandar Hayat Khan Sherpao on Sunday criticized the government for its decision to close down the utility stores.

Addressing a gathering of party workers in Mandani Union Council in Tangi tehsil here, he asked the government to cut its non-development expenditure instead of shutting down the utility stores that were providing food items to the people at subsidized rates.

Sikandar Sherpao said the decision would render thousands of employees jobless. He added the government was least bothered to provide relief to the people in the face of skyrocketing inflation. The QWP leader said the people were already grappling with a host of issues.

Sikandar Sherpao said the government had failed to revive the economy and create jobs. He said the rulers should consider the impact of the decision to close down the utility stores. He said it was the responsibility of a welfare state to take care of the needs of its citizens. He said all state institutions should work within the ambit of the constitution, adding that granting increased provincial autonomy to the federating units would help strengthen the federation. He said bad governance, poor economic conditions and worsening law and order had compounded the situation.