KARACHI, Oct 29: A non-governmental organization called for the promulgation and strict implementation of laws safeguarding the interests of consumers on Friday.
It also urged the appointment of an ombudsman who would help protect the consumers' interests.
Speaking at a press briefing at the Karachi Press Club, office-bearers of the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) of Helpline Trust pointed out that in August the governor had initialled the Consumer Protection Ordinance but the same was yet to be presented for a debate in the Sindh Assembly.
The ordinance would lapse unless it was ratified in the legislature, they said. "The government does not seem serious about protecting the interests of the consumers primarily because the consumers are either not fully aware of their rights or are too disorganized," said Hameed Maker, the chairman of CPC.
He said due to a lack of effective consumer laws and consumer courts, the consumers were being sold substandard, adulterated and counterfeit products. Callous manufacturers and wholesalers played havoc with the health of the consumers and Bachat and Weekly Bazaars had become a dumping ground for substandard and counterfeit products, he claimed.
"The provincial government, the city government and town Nazims did not play an effective role in controlling the price hike in the Ramazan. Consumers, NGOs and councillors be motivated to control prices," remarked Mr Maker.
He said some 3,000 consumer courts were active in India where even products worth Rs20 were presented for scrutiny. He urged the appointment of ombudsmen, with powers to punish those who cheated consumers, and also the establishment of consumer courts in the country.
Col Amjad of the CPC said every year in the Christmas season almost every business in the western countries, from the manufacturers down to the retailers, provided discounts to the consumers not only to generate more sales but also to provide service to the consumers.
"As a result, the consumers looked forward to the Christmas season, when they buy the bulk of products they want to consume throughout the year. As opposed to this scenario, the manufacturers, wholesalers, middlemen and retailers in Pakistan every year make a killing during the Eid season as they indulge in profiteering."
Answering a question, Mr Maker said the wholesalers and retailers be involved in the efforts to control prices during Ramazan. "Every year, much like the drummers who beat up their drums in order to wake up the people for Sehri, the government functionaries beat their drums in every Ramazan and claim that the prices would be controlled. "However, because the problems and concerns of the wholesalers and retailers are not addressed the prices are largely not controlled. Just a few detentions are made which lead to nowhere."
He said the CPC was against the policy of detaining the businessmen who did not follow the government price lists. The CPC, he added, was of the opinion that the price fixation committees should work round the year not only to fix prices but also to enforce the prices agreed upon. A Consumers Rights Commission had been instituted which needed to be strengthened so that the interests of the buyers were safeguarded, Mr Maker added.
