Consumer laws

Consumer protection laws are constituted to preserve basic consumer rights in every country around the globe. Fundamentally, the general rights are to be informed about product specifications, have choices, and stay safe from harmful effects and privacy violations Legislation in Pakistan too has defined consumer rights. The aim of the establishment of district consumer courts in almost all districts of Pakistan is to ensure, preserve and handle cases related to consumers’ protection. Expired products, vague information of goods, less displayed side effects, and usage of unhealthy ingredients are common abuses by companies in Pakistan. These violations cause harmful effects on consumers, claiming various diseases and even deaths. Despite these catastrophic consequences, no consumer reports this to the established authorities, mostly due to lack of awareness of the procedure.

People can consult district consumer courts if expired products are sold, receipt is not given, rate lists are not shown, warranted product is not taken back, ingredients information is missing on packaging, advertisement doesn’t comply with actual performance of product, and if bad service is provided by individual, organization or government. The aforementioned violations make anyone eligible to sue any product or service provider in their nearby district consumer court. The media, government, educational institutes, activist groups and individuals should help spread awareness of these rights.

Sami Sahil Baloch

Sukkur