Lahore: Lahore High Court (LHC) has sought reply from federal government and others on the petition against closure of Utility Stores (US).The petition filed by Utility Stores Association (USA) was heard by Justice Muhammad Raza Qureshi of LHC.Asif Shahzad Sahi advocate appeared on behalf of petitioner Muhammad Rafiq taking the plea that the petitioner is employee of Utility store since the last 10 years. Utility store is profit earning institution. Utility stores pay Rs 25 billion on account of tax annually. It is earning profit amounting to Rs 2 billion. It is meeting the expenses and paying the salaries on its own. But this institution is being closed under the directives of IMF. The closure of Utility stores will render 11000 persons jobless.The counsel for the petitioner took further plea that procedure has been worked out for closing the company under clauses 293 to 426 of company act-2017. Any company can be closed under the order of the court or directives of Board of Directors (BOD).Bo ard of directors have declared utility stores profit earning.The petitioner requested the court to declare null and void letter issued by cabinet division on August 7, 2024. The court should also nullify minutes of August 19 Cabinet division meeting.The court after hearing the stance of the petitioner issued notice to federal government, secretary cabinet division , secretary law ministry and managing director Utility stores besides seeking reply till September 4.