KARACHI: Joint ceremony of World Consumer Right Day (WCRD) and International Women Day (IWD)’s organised by Consumer Association of Pakistan (CAP) will be held on March 15 at a local hotel here. Chairman of CAP Kaukab Iqbal talking to media at said that March is important month in sense it March 8 is celebrated as International Women’s Day while 15 March is International Consumers Day.

Therefore, Chairperson of women’s wing of Consumer Association of Pakistan Syeda Raafia Mamujee has organised programme to celebrate both days together. Women who have performed prominently in various spheres of life and women who played key role for women in Pakistan like Fatima Jinnah, Begum Rana Liaquat Ali Khan and Benazir Bhutto will be given awards. Women can do more work for Pakistani by making their names. Kaukab Iqbal said that purpose of creating women’s wing of Consumer Association of Pakistan is to give respect to women in society and to highlight work of women. In view of today’s economic conditions, only men cannot meet expenses of house. In today’s situation, inflation has reached its peak. Prices of every food item are beyond reach of common man.

We are proud that on this occasion our mothers, sisters and daughters are working on their own to support their home. To meet expenses of home and family he said that our women are best consumers because it has been observed that they buy vegetables, meat, fruits and clothes by their own. Similarly women make majority of purchases in various thrift markets and malls. Kaukab Iqbal said that many big brands show upto 90 percent sales through their advertisements. While this never happens, either they are selling stock lots or they are fooling women by being thugs. Legislation is being made to promote false advertisements, on which Competition Commission should take action.

While whole world, especially in Gulf States including USA and European countries where there are sales counters there are also return counters, opposite is happening here.  Each brand is not only setting prices of its own products, but there is no such department in Pakistan to determine how much profit it makes. Kaukab Iqbal said that with efforts of Consumer Association of Pakistan, Consumer Protection Act has been implemented in every province of country.

Consumer protection department has been established in three major institutions, State Bank of Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority and Pakistan Telecommunication Authority.  Punjab Food Authority, Sindh Food Authority, PK Food Authority and Pakistan Halal Authority have also been established at national level. Consumer courts are also working in every province to provide relief to consumers. There is need for consumers to be aware of their rights.

Published in The Daily National Courier, March, 14 2023

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