Lawyers learn about consumer litigation

Energy Lawyers Association formed to address energy sector-related grievances.


Our Correspondent January 10, 2013
Bano emphasised on the need for a watchdog organisation in Islamabad that can work to safeguard consumer rights.

ISLAMABAD:


District court lawyers attended a workshop on consumer protection legislation to address consumer complaints more effectively on Monday, according to a press release.


The workshop, “Grievance Redress Mechanism in Consumer Protection Laws and Energy Sector Regulation,” was an orientation session to familiarise lawyers with Islamabad’s 17-year-old consumer protection law. Some of the lawyers were unaware of the existence of the consumer court before the workshop.

“I’ve been practicing in Islamabad for the last five years but it’s only after attending the workshop that I came to know that there is a dedicated judge for consumers in Islamabad courts,” said Kulsoom Rafique, a lawyer. Advocate Sanaullah Bhutta, a young lawyer said the training had opened a new avenue for his law practice as he could sue corporate entities and claim damages.

The objective of the workshop was to motivate lawyers to take initiate public-interest litigation, said Nadeem Iqbal, the executive coordinator of The Network for Consumer Protection.



Participants formed an Energy Lawyers Association at the end of the workshop to address energy sector-related grievances of consumers through litigation. NEPRA and OGRA laws provide for contribution of consumers in the open hearings for price determination of the tariff but consumer representation is negligible, Iqbal told the participants.

Amna Bano, project coordinator at The Network, regretted the fact that Islamabad had no Consumer Protection Council although the 1995 Act demanded it, during her presentation.

“Until the Islamabad Consumer Protection Council is formed consumer courts cannot provide effectively redress consumers’ grievances under the Islamabad Consumer Protection Act 1995,” she said.

The council was to mainly comprise of bureaucrats and consumer association representatives.

Bano also emphasised the need for a watchdog organisation in Islamabad that could work to safeguard consumer rights.

The one-day workshop was organised by The Network for Consumer Protection with funding from the United States Agency for International Development.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 10th, 2013.

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