Mohammad
Sarwar Khan and Abrar Hafeez
The
treatment of the consumer in Pakistan varies from complete exclusion to only
partial accommodation in the legislative scheme. There is a marked absence
of consumer concerns in the juridical debate in the country. Not only that
the consumer related laws are largely absent, where they exist, people are
generally unaware of them, particularly the possible legal remedies available
to them in case of harm or damage. Furthermore, no effective implementation
and enforcement mechanisms of these laws are available.
The
consumers are being exploited for they are largely unaware of their rights
as well as ignorant about the possible legal remedies available. Keeping with
its objective of equipping the consumer movement in Pakistan with pertinent
legislation and statutes for consumer protection, and making the citizens
aware of the existing laws, which directly or indirectly deal with consumers,
CRCP has planned a series of compilations of these laws, along with a brief
commentary on them.
Consumer
Laws in Pakistan (Volume I) is the first publication of this series. Various
consumer-related laws are compiled and reviewed in it. It covers Consumer
Protection Legislation (including Islamabad Consumer Protection Act, 1995
and NWFP Consumer Protection Act, 1997), State/Administrative Regulation (including
Wafaqi Mohtasib [Ombudsman] order, 1983), Regulatory Frameworks (including
National Electric Power Regulatory Authority, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority
and Natural Gas Regulatory Authority), Law on Standards and Quality (including
Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority Act, 1996), Drug Laws (including
Drugs Act, 1940, Drugs Act, 1976 and Pakistan Penal Code, 1860) and Food Laws
(including West Pakistan Pure Food Ordinance, 1960, Cantonments Pure Food
Act, 1966, Pakistan Hotels and Restaurants Act, 1976 and Pakistan Penal Code,
1860). The book treats the consumer-related legislation under separate categories.
Extracts of the text of each Act are given followed by comments.
CRCP
strongly feels that organized consumers and lawyers can play a very effective
role in the furtherance of the cause of consumer protection in Pakistan. This
book is an attempt to provide a ready reference on laws directly or indirectly
dealing with consumer protection to the consumers and practicing lawyers.
The response of the students of law, legal practitioners and the consumers
in general to the first volume have been positive and encouraging.
Download
pdf fomat
|
MS format
Sikander
Aqeel Ansari and Abrar Hafeez
2000, 84 pp., Rs.100
The second volume of the consumer-related laws provides extracts and commentary
on the Pakistan Environment Protection Act, 1997, The Contract Act, 1872,
The Sale of Goods Act, 1930, The Specific Relief Act, 1877, The Fatal Accidents
Act, 1855 (Act no. XIII of 1855) and The [Punjab], [Sindh], [N.W.F.P.] [Baluchistan]
Motor Vehicles Ordinance, 1965.
The
primary objective of this volume is to create awareness and prompt consumers
to take legal action, where necessary. The fundamental idea is to acquaint
the consumers with relevant laws, which are applicable to various goods and
services. It is aimed at helping the consumers find out references to the
relevant provisions of law with contents in simple words, which might help
them seek remedy before a court of law.
CRCP believes that the legally enforceable rights of citizens as consumers need to be asserted, and the discourse on consumer protection will gain impetus from the series of CRCP publications on consumer laws in Pakistan. Download pdf format