ISLAMABAD, Sept 14: The management of the Utility Stores Corporation of Pakistan has resorted to forced retirement so as to replace the experienced staff with retired army officers, sources told Dawn.

An official of the USCP confirmed the report that the employees who have completed 20 to 25 years in service were being terminated.

The official said that more than 50 employees have been sent home including some senior officials and retired army officers have been appointed to replace them.

Sources said that the USCP management intends to terminated the services of over 1,400 employees during the next two years leaving about 800 officials to run over 200 utility stores across the country.

The total number of countrywide stores would be brought down to around 200 from the present 370, which was 480 when its present management, headed by a retired military officer, took over two years back.

Those dismissed/retired also include regional managers and other high officials who have submitted appeals before the industries secretary/chairman before filing their cases in the service tribunal.