The government should form a ministerial task force and an expert advisory council on urgent basis to ensure the rights of consumers across the province related to food safety and quality and price control. This was stated by Sharjeel Inam Memon, Sindh Minister for Information, Archive, Commerce and Industries, while speaking at sixth Consumers Food Safety and Quality Conference (CFSQC) 2013 held here on Tuesday under the auspices of Consumers Association of Pakistan (CAP).
Speaking as a chief guest, he said that economic growth and prosperity are linked to the consumers' rights and their freedom of choice for using products of different qualities. The consumers should be ensured to have access to quality products and foods which is related to their health and lives.
The daylong conference was addressed by S M Munir, Chairman Din Group and leader of business community. Abu Bakar Mamat, Consul General Malaysia, Gulzar Firoz acting President FPCCI, Senator Abdul Haseeb Khan, Mian Zahid Hussain, President Pakistan Business and Intellectual Forum, Asad Alam Mahani, Director General Punjab Food Authority, Pir Buksh Khan Jamir, DG PSQCA, Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui, Commissioner Karachi.
Kukab Iqbal, Chairman CAP said that Sindh Government must ensure the protection of consumers' rights through laws and legislations as the provincial government has been observed as weak for law enforcement through Consumers Act though the situation is comparatively better in three other provinces of the country. He said that government's writ and revenues will flourish with the protection of business and consumers fundamental rights in the province.
The conference highlighted various issues of consumers' protection, their health and standards of edible products being sold out in various consumers markets of Pakistan. It envisions assembling experts of consumer's protectionists, health and products standards under one roof to raise issues with participants and policymakers regarding the violation of consumer's rights and its disadvantages to society.