ISLAMABAD: To secure the interests of the consumers is the paramount responsibility of the state. In Pakistan, this area has been ignored due to lack of political will. In 1995, the Islamabad Consumer Protection Act was enacted. Over the years, it was followed by enactments at the provincial level. Unfortunately, all these laws have remained dormant due to lack of awareness about them.
Consumers face severe problems every day, especially while travelling on the GT Road or on the Motorway. They have no other choice but to buy substandard and unhygienic edibles at exorbitant prices. This is a blatant violation of Article 18 and Article 19 of the Punjab Consumer Protection Act of 2005, which require the seller to display the price list and issue formal receipts to the purchaser. Such violations can be reported to the Punjab Consumer Protection Council but complaints are seldom lodged because people are simply unaware of the protection afforded under law. The media can play a pivotal role in spreading awareness about existing laws. The government may improve the implementation mechanism by allowing complaints through the use of modern means of communication. A helpline or hotline for such complaints may also help consumers report violations without any hassle.
Muhammad Zaheer Abbas
Published in The Express Tribune, March 1st, 2013.
