KARACHI, Sept 20: On the directive of Sindh Governor Ishratul Ibad, steps are being taken to establish a permanent system to maintain prices of essential items at an appropriate level throughout the province and eliminate adulteration.

In view of approaching Ramazan, a decision was taken for the establishment of Consumer Rights Council on the pattern of Citizen-Police Liaison Committee. The council would initially function in Karachi and later its scope would expand throughout the province.

The council, to be headed by the governor, would have 15 noted citizens as its members. CPLC chief would act as secretary of the council.

The governor asked the council to develop a website and ensure publicity and other methods for keeping the people aware about the prices and the steps taken against adulteration.

He expressed hope that the council would play a role of broad-based focal point for the attainment of desired objectives. He said that stability in prices of essential items and their availability could be ensured by breaking the cartel responsible for profiteering.

He particularly stressed on action against those responsible for adulteration.

The council members include Huma Bukhari, Nazim F. Haji, Samina Zahir, Dr Shahida Wazarat, Farah Nasim, Afshan Yousuf, Samina Babar, Farrukh Shaikh, Najma Khan, Zian Riaz Khawaja, Muhammad Yousuf, Shaheen Mahmood, Mirza Raza Ali and Rafique Ahmed Bashir.

The terms of reference for the council are:

— To enforce and implement the existing Pakistan Standard and Quality Control Authority standards in the province through police and other law enforcement agencies, under the provision of Chapter XIV of the Pakistan Penal Code 1860.

— To enforce and implement existing laws relating to counterfeiting and infringement of trade or property marks and copyrights in the province through police and other law enforcement agencies under the provision of Chapter XVIII of the Pakistan Penal Code 1860.

— To liaise with relevant government agencies and manufacturers and merchants to stop the manufacture, import and export, distribution and sale of adulterated and noxious food or drink, drugs, etc.

— To liaise with relevant government agencies and concerned persons to stop public nuisances, the spread of infectious diseases, fouling of water of public springs or reservoirs, etc.

— To satisfy itself that FIRs are duly registered against the violators in respect of the offences mentioned herein above (hereinafter referred to as the “said offences”) and that the concerned police officer does not refuse to register a FIR in connection therewith.

— To determine if any dilatory tactics are being adopted by the investigation officer in the cases relating to said offences.

— To determine if the processes of the law are being served properly in connection with the said offences.

— To collect statistics of various kinds of cases, relating to the said offences, that are registered with the police and disposed of during a specified period.

— To perform such other functions as may be assigned to them by the government. — APP/PPI