Consumer Protection in Pakistan: A Fad Or Beneficial Step For Consumers?
Guest Post by Mr. Nadeem Irshad Kayani, Director Punjab Consumer Protection Council, Headquarters Office, 135-J Model Town, Lahore, Ph # 042-5857927, 5855471.
The consequences of growing integration globally include enhanced speed & velocity of transactions involving finance, technology, information and transportation of goods and services. The business is on the move globally and off shoring and outsourcing provides cheaper inputs resulting in cost effective products and services. As a consequence business remains competitive and consumers get more options to choose from a range of products and services. The services trade is growing immensely and increased connectivity has provided it with virtual space to move and grow.
The increasing competition due to availability of information make consumer confused but at the same time cost of product and services may decrease to the benefit of the consumer. The standards of products and services can go down and deceptive practices to earn profits may gain currency.
Globalization is not an equitable process and its effects vary depending on the social status and geographical location of the individual. Liberalization, privatization of economy and regulation of the markets are the buzz words these days but in fact regulation and de-regulation of business continues side by side. Need is being felt to introduce rights based regime to face the ill effects of globalization. The human rights of the citizens are a contested domain and they have become an integral part of national and global policies aimed at providing justice and equal opportunity for all. The academics argue that economic and process regulation should be replaced by social regulation including consumer protection.
Every working person wants high quality products and services in return for his hard earned money. The rights of consumers are an integral part of human rights agenda, specifically elaborated in the guidelines for consumer protection formulated by United Nations General Assembly in 1985. These guidelines provide a framework to safeguard the consumers against deception, fraud and exploitation.
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