People throughout the country face imbalances in terms of health conditions, economic prosperity, educational attainment, quality standards, distribution of goods and services, which remain away from attaining the United Nations Guidelines for Consumer Protection.
Government should make legislation regarding the consumer protection policies to protect the rights of the consumers. Dr Talib Lashari, Executive Co-ordinator of the Network for Consumer Protection in Pakistan said here on Tuesday. He said this on the eve of the 23rd anniversary of UN Guidelines for Consumer Protection being marked on April 9 (Wednesday) all over the world.
Lashari opined that some of these guidelines are reflected in consumer protection laws of Pakistan, of which only Punjab consumers' protection law is functioning in 11 districts of the province. The guidelines related to basic needs like health are not properly followed as health policy lacks proper implementation and complementary regulatory mechanisms, he said.
He urged the government to implement the UN guidelines for consumer protection and review the relevant laws and policies to assess whether these, adhere to UN guidelines. He also recommended that UN Guidelines to be incorporated in national laws.
Dr Lashari also stressed that the government should establish a Consumer Protection Wing to ensure the implementation of these guidelines and keep a monitoring to protect the rights of consumers.
The General Assembly of UN adopted guidelines for consumer protection by consensus on April 9, 1985, which provides a framework for governments, particularly those of developing countries, to use in elaborating consumer protection policies and legislation.
The guidelines consist of eight clauses which includes right to safety, right to be informed, right to choose, right to be heard, right to the satisfaction of basic needs, right to redress, right to education and right to a healthy environment.
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