Law & Governance

The importance of good governance cannot be overlooked as it sets the normative standards of development. It is accepted not only as a hallmark of political maturity but also a requisite for growth and poverty reduction. Good governance fosters participation, ensures transparency, demands accountability, promotes efficiency, and upholds the rule of law in economic, political and administrative institutions and processes.

A cornerstone of good governance is adherence to the rule of law, that is, the impersonal and impartial application of stable and predictable laws, statutes, rules, and regulations, without regard for social status or political considerations.

Besides reviewing existing consumer related laws from citizen perspective, research was undertaken for new legislation as required under the changing relationship of the market and state. Review of existing consumer related legislation was considered necessary in view of its serious limitations to provide protection to consumers. This review effort provided significant insights not only for the awareness and advocacy work but also for the new legislation, which CRCP proposed for enactment.. Laws, which were reviewed, include the Islamabad Consumer Protection Act, 1995, North Western Frontier Province Consumer Protection Act, 1997, Wafaqi Mohtasib (Ombudsman) Order, 1983, National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) Act 1997, Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organization) Act, 1996, Natural Gas regulatory Authority (NGRA) Act 2000, Pakistan Standard and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) Act, 1996, Drug Act, 1940, Drug Act, 1976, Pakistan Penal Code, 1860, Pakistan Environment Protection Act, 1997, The Contract Act, 1872, The Sale of Goods Act, 1930, The Specific Relief Act, 1877, The Fatal Accidents Act, 1855 (Act no. XIII of 1855) and The [Punjab], [Sindh], [N.W.F.P.] [Baluchistan] Motor Vehicles Ordinance, 1965, Proposed Petroleum Regulatory Authority (PRA) Ordinance, Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) Ordinance, 2002. Besides, CRCP proposed Model Consumer Protection Act 2000 and Model Freedom of Information Act, 2001, which were also based on extensive research not only into existing relevant laws in Pakistan but also in other countries of the world.