DERA GHAZI KHAN, Nov 10: The Punjab Consumer Protection Council in Dera Ghazi Khan which was formed to guard the rights of consumers has failed to address public interest cases as it met only once since its inception last year.

Soon after the establishment of the consumer court in the district in 2007, the Consumer Council, headed by the district coordination officer, was made to protect public interest consumer rights. But only two cases pertaining to larger public interest were lodged with the consumer court in one year and both cases remained inconclusive as defendants have moved the Supreme Court of Pakistan.

Consumer Court Registrar Syed Makhdoom Husain said that more than 160 cases regarding individual’s complaints were registered and over 100 cases decided. He said Dera Ghazi Khan Consumer Court dealt with four districts -- Dera Ghazi Khan, Layyah, Rajanpur and Muzaffargarh.

One resident of the district, Dr Najeeb said there should be camp offices or permanent consumer courts in rest of the three districts so that consumers could get immediate access to courts. He suggested that a National Commission be made to address consumers’ complaints.

Shafique Khosa, council secretary, said frequent transfers of DCOs and a district government-district council row hampered the working of the council.