KARACHI, March 29: Naib Nazim Nasreen Jalil has stressed the need for collective efforts by government organizations and NGOs to ensure protection of consumer rights. “The community people should come forward and play their role in pushing forward such efforts,” she said while speaking as chief guest at the seminar on “Strengthening the partnership for protecting the rights of consumers in South Asia,” here on Wednesday.

The seminar, organised by the Helpline, was also addressed by Kaylanee Shah of a Nepalese NGO SHEWA and Mazhar Siraj of Consumer Rights Association of Pakistan, besides representatives of corporate sector.

Nasreen Jalil said that the organisations, working for redressing the complaints of consumers against substandard items and their manufacturers, should expand the scope of their services and focus on generating awareness among consumers about their rights.

She announced to launch a drive cooperation of NGOs in coordination with towns and union councils and asked the Helpline to prepare a detailed programme enabling the concerned city government department to implement it in each union council.

The naib nazim said that all NGOs should strive together for highlighting the consumer rights and set up a platform to make such efforts more effective. “You start your campaign and the city government will cooperate,” she said.

The present city government, she pointed out, had led Karachi to the path of progress and all development activities were being carried out with planning for the future.—APP