KARACHI, March 15: Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad on Tuesday disclosed that a consumer protection council was being formed in the province.

He was speaking as chief guest at the closing session of a day-long national conference on “Consumer Protection in Pakistan” held in connection with World Consumer Rights Day. The conference was jointly organized by The Help-Line Trust (THT) and Pakistan Certification Bodies Association (PCBA) here at a local hotel.

The governor pointed out that the consumer’s protection council was being framed on the lines of the CPLC to help foster awareness as well as involvement of the citizens.

He said that an ordinance for consumer protection was promulgated in the province in August 2004 and it was placed before the provincial assembly.

Dr Ibad further indicated that a consumer protection law would soon be enacted to ensure provision of pure and unadulterated items to the masses.

He said that the consumers were the major stakeholders who would be given the utmost protection and that their interests would be safeguarded.

The governor stated that the consumer protection had always been a key issue for our government.

He said that the subject of consumer protection had received great attention from all stakeholders in the country. The present government realized the significance of the changes taking place in the world economy and the growing importance of the consumer protection and standardization.

The governor stressed the need for provoking consumer awareness among the public. As, in his view, no law could be beneficial until the general public decides to gain out of it.

“I have asked that lawmaking steps be taken to protect consumers from exploitation,” the governor added and hoped the assembly being fully aware of the said consumer issues would take obligatory measures in this regard.

He said that it had been suggested that in addition to establishing consumer courts as was the normal practice, consumer rights council or consumer ombudsman should also be appointed. They would safeguard consumer interests in association with consumer protection council and societies and would also act as a constructive counterpart for business and industry.

Dr Ibad said that such a council would help coordinate the role of present market committees which could act as a primary court specially designed to solve cases regarding price escalations, marketing and standard contract terms at the tehsil and district levels and act as arbitrator for the business and consumers.

The Sindh government would certainly examine these suggestions, he added.

He categorically stated the conference would serve as a milestone in promoting awareness on consumer rights.

Federal Minister for Science and Technology Chaudhry Nouraiz Shakoor Khan reiterating the Sindh governor’s stance suggested that standardization and consumer protection were the hallmarks of any civilized society and for the purpose he asserted, “government cannot do anything until the masses come forward and strive for their rights”.

PCBA President Engr Zafar Chaudry compelled to make a solemn declaration as Pakistanis, to advocate a well knitted legal system supported by a well respected credibility system to subdue the abuse of consumer rights, unethical practices, lack of legislation and regulatory framework.

All the speakers endorsed the view that consumer protection was not just an economic issue, but also a social one and embraced corporate social responsibility.

Mr Hamid Maker, UNIDO Chief Technical Advisor Zawdu Felleke, Pakistan National Accreditation Council (PNAC) Director General Engr Abdul Rashid, PSQCA Director General Abdul Ghaffar Soomro also spoke.

Meanwhile, Consumers Association of Pakistan (CAP) on Tuesday demanded of the government to implement consumer’s protection ordinance and National Quality policy in letter and spirit so as to ensure rights of consumers, adds our staff reporter.

Through a number of banners displayed all along I I Chundrigar Road to mark the World Consumers Rights Day, to create awareness about consumers rights, the CAP urged the government to invest magisterial powers with the city government as to make its drive against price hike and sub-standard goods effective.

In a joint statement, CAP chairman Kaukab Iqbal, general secretary Farida Essa and joint secretary deplored that although the federal government had made law of consumers rights about a decade ago, it had not yet implemented it in the country, except in Islamabad despite being a signatory to the UN guideline (1984) for consumers rights.—APP/PPI