Citizens across Pakistan faced frustration today as utility stores, a vital source of subsidized groceries, experienced a nationwide server outage. The technical glitch brought operations to a halt, leaving long queues stranded outside stores and disrupting access to essential goods.

Reports indicate the issue stems from difficulties processing flour purchases after the government divided subsidies for the staple food item. Details regarding the technical nature of the problem remain unclear. 

“The system went down due to the subsidy being divided into two parts,” a spokesperson for the Utility Stores Corporation (USC) told reporters. However, they could not provide further technical information at this time.

The outage significantly impacts flour distribution, a key concern for many Pakistanis. While a 10kg bag of flour typically costs Rs. 684, utility stores offer it at a subsidized rate of Rs. 400 for Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) cardholders. This subsidized flour is a critical resource for low-income families.

The USC has not yet announced a timeline for resolving the issue and restoring normal operations at utility stores.