Karachi: National Consumer Movement Sindh President Syed Shahzad Mazhar, Vice President Sheikh Arshad and Mohsin Vohra met Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami Sindh Kashif Saeed Sheikh at Qaba Auditorium against the sharp increase in sugar, petrol and electricity prices and apprised them of their concerns and the problems of consumers.

The delegation told the provincial Ameer that the price control situation in Sindh is very bad. The real reason for inflation in Sindh is government indiscipline. The reason for instability in the prices of essential commodities is negligence at the government level. Shopkeepers have a free hand to charge arbitrary prices. The official price has no importance. A system of bribery by the competent authority and local political extortionists is in place. The common citizens are completely unaware of the effectiveness of the consumer courts established in every district. Similarly, the Consumer Protection Council and price control institutions under the Deputy Commissioner are also inactive.

Jamaat-e-Islami Sindh Ameer Kashif Saeed said that there is a need to run a large-scale awareness campaign on consumer rights in Sindh. Artificial inflation can be eliminated by adhering to the official price in local markets. There is a need to mobilize the political, social and civil society platforms to raise awareness about the Consumer Protection Courts and Councils established in every district of Sindh. There is also a need to expose the role of paper and dummy Consumer Protection Councils established under the Deputy Commissioner in every district.

The Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami Sindh said that if the price control institution performs its work properly, inflation can be controlled. He urged the National Consumer Movement to play its effective role in this regard, by creating awareness among the public, sending reports and letters to the institutions, and drawing attention to the commissioners/deputy commissioners through meetings. Jamaat-e-Islami will fully cooperate with the National Consumer Movement in this regard.