KARACHI, May 27: Regional conference on "Role of Accreditation and Standards in Protecting Consumers in Developing Countries" concluded on Thursday after adopting a declaration underlining the need to ensure that the standards are enforced in order to protect the consumers from substandard , adulterated and counterfeit products.

The two-day conference was jointly organized by the Help line Trust and the Pakistan Certification Bodies' Association, and was participated by delegates from different countries of the region.

Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan, who was to be the chief guest at the concluding session of the moot, could not turn up due to his engagements and was represented by chief minister's adviser on Home affairs, Aftab Ahmed Shiekh.

The governor, in a message read by his adviser, said that protection of consumer rights was a key issue and the government was keen to address it to save the people from buying substandard products.

A Consumer Protection Ordinance would be promulgated soon to help safeguard the rights of consumers by taking the elements indulged in adulteration and manufacturing of substandard goods to the task, he added. -PPI