Consumer Rights Demands Presented by CAP for Government Action.

The Consumer Association of Pakistan (CAP) is committed to protecting the rights of consumers and promoting their welfare. In light of the current economic challenges facing the country, CAP is presenting this Charter of Demand to the government, outlining key measures to provide relief to consumers and improve their quality of life.

DEMANDS FOR ELECTRICITY SECTOR REFORM

1. Pay IPPS Based on Electricity Production: Ensure that Independent Power Producers (IPPS) are paid based on their actual electricity production to avoid burdening consumers with excess costs.
2. Revise Agreements with IPPS: Revise agreements with IPPS to ensure full production, enabling uninterrupted power supply during peak summer months.
3. Reduce Electricity Prices: Immediately reduce electricity prices to Rs. 25 per unit to provide relief to consumers.

PROMOTING RENEWABLE ENERGY

1. Interest-Free Loans for Solar Panels: Direct the State Bank to provide interest-free loans for the purchase of solar panels in easy installments, enabling consumers to access affordable electricity from natural resources.

FISCAL REFORMS

1. Withdraw Privileges: Immediately withdraw privileges granted to officers and staff in all sectors, reducing the burden on the national treasury.
2. Reduce Lavish Expenses: Cut privileges and lavish expenses of government officials, including the President’s House, Prime Minister’s House, Provincial Houses, and Governor’s Houses, by at least 25%.

TAXATION REFORMS

1. Tax the Elite: Increase taxes on the elite instead of imposing additional burdens on the salaried class and poor.
2. Abolish Taxes on Essential Items: Completely abolish taxes on essential items and dairy products from Budget 2024.

PRICE CONTROLS

1. Fix Pulse Prices: Fix pulse prices at Rs. 80-100 to ensure affordability for consumers.
2. Prevent Price Increases: Take measures to prevent price increases for flour, rice, and other essential commodities, ensuring their sale at government-set prices.

ELECTRICITY LOAD SHEDDING

1. Abolish Load Shedding: Completely abolish electricity load shedding across the country, ending the misery of prolonged and unannounced power outages.

ELECTRICITY SUPPLY COMPETITION

1. Introduce Competition: Abolish the monopoly on electricity supply in Karachi and allow at least 5 electricity supply companies to operate, promoting competition and consumer choice.

ELECTRICITY PRICING

1. Fix Slab Rates: Fix slab rates for electricity, making them accessible to consumers, and impose penalties on companies increasing prices beyond the set rates.

PRICE STABILITY

1. Fix Prices for Six Months: Fix prices for electricity and petrol for a period of six months, maintaining them at a minimum reasonable level.

SALES TAX REFORMS

1. Reduce Sales Tax: Set sales tax rates at 5-10% on all essential items, recognizing that the entire burden falls on consumers.

LUXURY CAR IMPORTS SHOULD BE BAN

1. Ban Luxury Car Imports: Immediately ban imports of all luxury Cars

By implementing these demands, the government can provide significant relief to consumers, improve their quality of life, and promote economic growth. CAP urges the government to consider these demands and take prompt action to address the challenges facing the country.