Buyer beware: Traders, lawyers vow to strengthen consumer protection laws

"Information technology should be effectively used for advocating consumer protection laws," says kundwal.

Representatives of the business community, legal fraternity and civil society vowed to work for strengthening consumer protection laws.

This was agreed upon at an advocacy seminar on “Energy Sector Regulations and the Consumer in Pakistan”, organised by TheNetwork for Consumer Protection.

Officials from the Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO), members of the Rawalpindi District Bar and members of the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry attended the seminar.

The findings of a study — conducted by The Network on the energy sector and consumer protection — were also shared among the participants.

Nadeem Iqbal, Executive Coordinator of The Network, said that ahead of World Consumer Rights Day, the commitment of traders and the legal fraternity was a good omen for millions of consumers.

Rawalpindi Consumer Judge Sohail Nasir said the Punjab High Court should set up consumer courts at tehsil level to bring justice to the doorstep of consumers.

He said that the implementation of consumer laws should be prioritized and, if any recommendations to remove operational difficulties were made, it must be sent to the Justice and Law Commission of Pakistan.

Amanullah Khan, ex-President and senior member of the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, demanded of the government of Punjab to allocate funds for proper and effective implementation of consumer laws.

He said the RCCI will adopt a proactive role in promoting consumer protection laws.

Punjab Bar Council Member Mustafa Kundwal said that information technology should be effectively used for advocating consumer protection laws.

Amna Bano, project coordinator at TheNetwork, said consumer advocates should be appointed at district level to promote awareness of consumer rights.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 11^th, 2013.