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CRCP has five core programs areas, which are mutually reinforcing, and over-lapping. All of these areas are closely inter-linked and feed into each other with the aim of making optimal utilization of resources. They include research and publications, advocacy and awareness, law and governance, training and group mobilization, and fund-raising. Within these core program areas, CRCP focuses on various sectors, which include essential and basic goods and services like water, health, public utilities like telecommunication, electricity, oil and gas, institutional mechanisms for regulation, and legislative frameworks. Specific activities of CRCP under these areas have been of diverse nature and are briefly outlined in the following paragraphs:

A. Research and Publication:

Policy research and surveys are undertaken to have in-depth understanding of consumer problems and grievances both in the context of public services and markets. This research, which is conducted from inter-disciplinary perspective, feeds into other program areas such as law and governance and advocacy and awareness. If required for advocacy or awareness purposes, these researches are finalized in collaboration with colleagues in other relevant programs and then published.

B. Governance and Legislative Affairs:

Under this program area, governance issues are examined from citizens’ perspective. This area particularly focuses on transparency, freedom of information, citizens’ participation in governance and issues related to public service delivery. It reviews existing laws with the aim of making policy input for their improvement. New laws are proposed to achieve maximum protection of citizens’ legally enforceable civil rights and to ensure that participation of citizens in governance is enhanced and performance of public services improved, especially by having such schemes of legislation, which empower citizens and provide redress mechanism for their grievances. For this purpose, this area has significant emphasis on constructive engagement with legislative bodies, public representative and various government departments at national, provincial and local levels.

C. Advocacy, Training and Group Mobilization

On the basis of research undertaken at CRCP, a series of advocacy and awareness-raising activities are undertaken. These activities generally include personal meetings and correspondence with government officials and market actors, electronic and print media coverage, participation in TV talk-shows, dissemination of information materials directly as well as through consumer groups, web-based campaigns, holding of talks, seminars and consultations, and organization of community events, etc. In addition this program area deals with formation of consumer groups, their training and then follow-up work, as and when required, with the aim of facilitating citizens' involvement in consumer protection work at the community levels. Training areas broadly include recognized rights of consumers under different national laws, consumers' responsibilities, quality standards of food items and home appliances, training in rights, including right to basic social services, food, health, safe drinking water and sanitation, etc.

D. Market and Corporate Practices

This program area focuses on market processes and corporate practices from consumers’ perspective, with emphasis on trade liberalization, privatization and emergence of regulatory regimes in Pakistan. It particularly focuses on aspects such as accessibility, availability, affordability, quality and standards, market ethics, monopolies and unfair trade practices. On one hand, this area acts as a watchdog of market and corporate practices, and on the other hand, tries to provide scientific input into relevant policies so that market becomes responsive to consumer interests.

E. Law and Pubic Interest Legislation

This program area reviews various laws from citizens and consumers’ perspective and undertakes research on issues, which are faced by citizens in the context of practice of laws. In addition, it undertakes public interest litigation for protection of civil rights of consumers and citizens, if and when required. The Consumer Complaints and Redress Forum (CCRF), established under the program area, handles consumer complaints. It gives free legal advice to consumers of various products and services.