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Incorporation of UN
Guidelines into national laws urged
Karachi— Pakistan observing the 23rd anniversary of UN Guidelines
for Consumer Protection on Tuesday urgently needed to incorporate
these into national laws. Executive Coordinator The Network for
Consumer Protection Dr. Talib Lashari in a statement said basic
needs of consumers throughout the country has to be met and that too
without any distinction and discrimination.
“We have to address imbalances in terms of health conditions,
economic prosperity, educational attainment, quality standards,
distribution of goods and services,” he said.
The activist urged that government needed to implement the UN
guidelines for consumer protection and review the relevant laws and
policies to asses whether these adhere to UN Guidelines.
Dr. Lashari also recommended establishment of “Consumer Protection
Wing” to ensure the implementation of these guidelines and keep a
keep monitoring in order to protect the rights of consumers.
It was mentioned that General Assembly of UN that adopted guidelines
for consumer protection by consensus in April 1985, provided a
framework for governments, particularly those of developing
countries, to use in elaborating consumer protection policies and
legislation.
These guidelines were said to comprise eight clauses which included
right to safety, right to be informed, right to choose, right to be
heard, right to satisfaction of basic needs, right to redress, right
to education, and right to a healthy environment.
He suggested need to focus on promotion of sustainable consumption
focussed on meeting the needs of present and future generations for
goods and services in ways that are economically, socially and
environmentally sustainable.
Dr. Lashari also referred to measures relating to specific areas and
suggested that provincial and federal governments need to give
priority to areas of essential concern for the health of the
consumer, such as food, water and pharmaceuticals.
He said that the guidelines related to basic needs like health were
not properly followed as health policy lacked proper implementation
and complementary regulatory mechanisms.
These guidelines which seek “Physical Safety” could be encouraged
through adoption of appropriate measures, including legal systems,
safety regulations, etc.—APP
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