Sindh High Court (SHC) on Wednesday ordered Sindh government to constitute provincial and districts consumer protection councils (CPCs) in the province in 20 days. A division bench of the SHC comprised of Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Justice Faisal Agha, issued the order in two identical petitions, filed by M Tariq Mansoor Advocate and Amity International, which moved the court against the failure of provincial government to establish consumer protection councils. Government of Sindh was the respondent in both petitions.

Court in its order stated that petitioners argued that under Sindh Consumer Protect Act 2014, Consumer Protection Council (CPC) is to be constituted under Section 25 of the act by provincial government. Despite, promulgation of this act, no efforts have been made so far for constituting the CPC in the province, petitioners stated.

Secretary Agriculture Sindh assured the court to make all best possible efforts and have also moved a summary to Chief Minister Sindh for the approval to establish these councils at provincial and district level. Upon the statement of Secretary Agriculture, court ordered the provincial government to complete task for establishment of consumer protection councils at provincial and district level in 20 days.

According to the court order, issues regarding non-payment of salaries to presiding officers of 29 consumer protection courts also cropped up. Secretary Agriculture told the court that budget has been transferred to Law Department Sindh for the payment of salaries and assured that salaries would be released.

Accountant General Sindh official assured the court to speed up the process to ensure the payment of salaries of the presiding officers of consumer protection courts for the month of August 2019 in the first week of September 2019 along the payment of arrears.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2019