KARACHI, Jan 12: Senate Chairman Mian Mohammad Soomro has said that consumer is the driving factor for all commercial and industrial activities and urged community participation to protect consumer rights.

He was speaking at a seminar on "Protection of Consumer Interest and Necessity of Consumer Courts," organized by Subh-i-Nau, a monthly magazine. He said that there was a need to create awareness among people about their rights for which co-ordinated efforts were must, otherwise consumers would continue to be exploited.

Referring to establishment of consumer courts and legislation to protect the consumer rights, he observed that mere laws could not resolve the problems of the people, but dedicated people should create awareness among people in this regard.

Sindh chief minister's advisor on Information, Salahuddin Haider, speaking on the occasion said that usurpation of rights was prevailing in all fields of life in Pakistan, creating frustration among the people.

He criticized increase in the utility charges, particularly that of electricity, and added that power charges had shown a decline trend around the world, but in Pakistan the situation was reverse and people were burdened.

Speakers including Tariq Rangoon, Chairman Consumer Council, Azizur Rehman, Sabihuddin Ghousi, President, Karachi Press Club and others emphasized the need for consumer courts and legislation in this regard and urged for their enforcement.

They emphasized the need for compensation-based legislation, so that aggrieved party could get relief in case they were provided substandard products or services.

The government had totally failed to protect rights of the people and it had no idea of their problems, therefore the people themselves should defend their rights by raising voice against the injustices committed to them by different quarters, the speakers viewed.-PPI