Consumer Protection has not received the attention in our country that it deserves. As a result the consumer who is most cases is the ordinary citizen has been at a disadvantage due to poor product quality, adulteration, counterfeit and monopolies and cartelization.

To protect the consumer against such practices the government and the consumers bodies have to work closely together. While the government enacts appropriate legislation, the Consumer Protection Groups have a great role to play in exposing the unethical and illegal manufacturing practices and developing and applying consumer pressure as is done in other countries to protect the consumers.

It is reassuring that the Helpline Trust is making endeavor to raise the issue of Consumer Protection from its platform and in the connection is organizing “Putting the Consumer First” Award in collaboration with Consumer Protection Council. I wish to congratulate the Helpline Trust and Consumer Protection Council for this commendable initiative.

I hope Consumer Award Ceremony will not only serve the cause of protecting the consumer, but will help the corporate sector to become aware of its obligation to promote Corporate Social Responsibility and the need for implementing good manufacturing practices.

I also wish to congratulate the award winners who care for Pakistani consumers and wish them success in their future endeavours.

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