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Enactment of

Consumer Protection

Bill demanded

KARACHI: Concerned citizens have stressed need for immediate enactment of Consumer Protection Bill in the country safeguarding locals from the onslaught of national and multinational corporations under different garbs and pretext.

Addressing a seminar held under the aegis of The Helpline Trust to commemorate "International Consumers Day", here the local consumers also urged strict enforcement of the existing drug, food and packaging laws.

Need for manufacturers to ensure strict quality control during manufacturing process and creating public awareness campaign against sub-standard and adulterated food stuff was also greatly felt on the occasion.

It was observed that ignorance on part of locals themselves and indifference of the government towards the plight of the former has provided consumer goods producers, suppliers as well as retailers ample opportunities to exploit the consumers.

"Under the given circumstances there is dire need to establish "Consumer Courts", known activist and President, Pakistan Business, professional and Agriculture Women Association, Shamim Kazmi said.

She was complimented by A H Marker, Chairman, The Helpline Trust who mentioned that through concerted efforts Consumer Protection Bill has not only been implemented in India but more than 2,000 Consumer Courts, financed by the government, are also actively functioning there.

He regretted that while Helpline Trust had prepared and forwarded the draft Consumer Protection Bill to the successive governments, some three years back, no development in this regard could be noticed.

Ms Kazmi explicitly discussed the history of consumer protection campaign in Karachi and said these campaigns must be strengthened on the lines of advance countries where such councils are a must.

She regretted that provision for price lists has almost vanished in a city like Karachi where the consumers rarely ask for the same.

"We cannot remain silent sufferers all the time and the house wives specifically need to mobilise themselves", Ms Kazmi said.

Karachi Dairy Farmers Association Joint Secretary Mohammad Ashraf cited lack of proper management as the major cause of scarcity of different products, high cost and low quality of the same in different parts of the country.

Mentioning that Pakistan is surplus in milk production and is among the five leading milk producers of the world yet a significant number of local population is denied of pure milk.

He specifically referred to Karachi scenario where according to him about 500,000 milk animals are domesticated by some 5,000 dairy farmers producing and purveying 3,500,000 littres of fresh milk and thus meeting 90 percent of fresh milk demand in the city.

"Although pure milk is transported to the retail outlets of the city within 60 minutes to 90 minutes yet the product does not reach even to the 50 percent consumers directly or in pure form", he complained adding that 130,000 littres of sub-standard and adulterated milk is supplied daily to Karachiites.

The above mentioned quantity of milk, containing hydrogen peroxide and thus injurious to human health could be noticed being sold in chilled condition or in ice block form, almost throughout the day.

The dairy farmers' representative attributed the situation not only to lack of management but also unrealistic policy on part of the government.

He demanded immediate ban on import of milk powder, export to cattle feed and feed ingredients. He also called for duty free import of oil cakes, pulses, corn etc in off seasons.

Provincial Minister for Agriculture Iftikhar Soomro who chaired the seminar referring to public indifference towards their own grievances said that while complaint cells have been created for each of the bazaars held in city no complaint has been registered in any of these cells for last four and a half months.

Responding to the presentation made by Secretary, Dairy Farmers Association the minister advised them to establish their own milk powder plants thus preserving access milk in period of less demand and more supply.

Commissioner Karachi, Shafiq-ur-Rehman Paracha, the chief guest on the occasion, recommended formation of consumer councils who must also be communicative helping formation of consumers' lobbies and pressure groups.

Paracha also suggested for establishing mobile laboratories to check on the spot adulteration.ÑAPP