The National Consumer Movement Sindh President, Syed Shehzad Mazhar, presented a charter of demands to the Sindh Chief Minister, accusing the Price Control Department and the Food Department of failing to perform their duties, resulting in retailers charging arbitrary prices, even in subsidized markets like “Bachit Bazaars”. Mazhar emphasized that the lack of effective price regulation is imposing artificial inflation on the public.
Addressing journalists at the provincial office, Mazhar revealed that the recommendations of the Civil Society Conference on the inflation crisis have been presented to the Chief Minister and the Minister of Local Government. An NCM delegation will soon meet with the Commissioner Karachi, the Mayor, and other Sindh authorities to formulate a concrete action plan.
The NCM has prepared a comprehensive charter of demands through consultations with various stakeholders to enforce official rates and improve the price regulation mechanism. The charter proposes utilizing local council members and staff to monitor illegal pricing, hoarding, and price manipulation. It also suggests including credible consumer advocacy groups in policy decisions and essential commodity pricing, as well as expanding the network of Utility Stores in rural Sindh.
Mazhar appealed to the administration to establish a robust and transparent system to address consumer issues.