City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal has said that strict laws against those involved in price hike alone can bring improvement in the society. A summary has been sent to Sindh Governor Dr Ishrat-ul-Ibad Khan recommending a minimum fine of Rs 100,000 and six-month imprisonment for those selling essential items on higher prices.
He was speaking at a seminar on "Rights of consumers in Pakistan", organised by Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) here on Tuesday.
Mustafa Kamal said that if only 10 persons were awarded punishment under this law, then no one else would dare to involve in price hike. There is no such law to deal with menace of price hike, but whatever law exists, it too is not being enforced due to "deal" which takes place between food inspector and the culprits.
Pointing out that the city government is spending billions of rupees on infrastructure improvement in the city, the Nazim observed that minor things had made the people restless and, therefore, legislation was being undertaken to deal the issue with all strictness.
He said the city government was delegated powers for price control during Ramazan-ul-Mubarak, but these powers are given when half of the Holy month was already passed and till then people had to suffer at the hands of elements involved in the price escalation.
"It is the responsibility of city government to fulfil the needs of people, remove their hardships and take care of their rights for which efforts are being made and people will see positive change within few months".
The city Nazim said that the people should stand up for their rights and if they start knowing about their rights, then there would be no administration, which might not yield to their resistance.
He said the real issue was not that people are not educated, but they must educate themselves about their rights and see what was happening around them.
He disclosed that within a month, the city government was going to set up a complaint centre with a toll free number where people could register complaints related to water, sewerage, sanitation and matters related to the city government.