Oil refineries must fully value consumers.

Byline: KHALIL AHMED

PAGE: Tell me something about yourself, please:

Kaukab Iqbal: First of all I am grateful for giving space in your esteemed periodical for highlighting issues related to Pakistani's consumers by inviting my views on this crucial subject. I, Kaukab Iqbal, being founding Chairman of Consumers Association of Pakistan feel much delighted to introduce myself as well as to present vision and mission of Consumers Association of Pakistan as one of the largest NGO working for providing awareness about consumer rights and consumers' protection.

In fact, Consumers Association of Pakistan was formed under my Chairmanship on 13th September, 2003. Since then working for providing awareness about consumer rights and protection, CAP is non-government, no-profit organization formed by volunteer individuals who believe in developing sustainable consumption in Pakistan. Moreover, by protecting, enhancing and articulating the best interest of Pakistani consumer, CAP is also helpful to create fair and ethical trade practices.

CAP priorities are consumer rights and responsibilities which are:

The right to satisfy basic needs.

The right to safety.

The right to be informed.

The right to choose.

The right to be heard.

To curb abusive business practices.

The right to redress grievances.

The right to healthy environment.

To encourage high level of ethical practices in the market.

To develop fair effective market economics.

To facilitate development of consumers groups at grass root level.

To ensure follow up of UN guide lines.

To attain International co-operation.

CAP is accredited as well as working partner to following organizations:

UNIDO (United Nation Industrial Development Organization)

US AID (United States Agency for International Development)

PNAC (Pakistan National Accreditation Council)

GWP (Global Water Partnership)

EC (European Commission)

Association for Airline Passengers Rights (USA) (AAPR)

Pakistan Standard and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA)

Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP)

WHO (World Health Organization)

PTA (Pakistan Telecom Authority)

PEMRA (Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority)

CAA (Civil Aviation Authority).

In order to promote awareness among consumers, Consumers Association of Pakistan every year organizes:

Food Safety Conference

Road Safety Conference

Information Technology (IT) Conference

Tele Com Conference

Air Passengers Safety Conference

Financial Conference.

To appreciate all the stakeholders who...