FAQ's
How can I join?
To join TheNetwork as a
member, you need to only fill a form, which is available online as well.
online membership form For
membership form you can contact Membership Coordinator through phone
051-2261085, fax 051-2262495 or email: main@thenetwork.org.pk.
You can write a letter to Membership Coordinator at TheNetwork for Consumer
Protection, 40-A Ramzan Plaza G-9 Markaz Islamabad. Joining fee for membership
is only Rs 100. The same amount is needed to renew the membership after every
year. For details please visit
The Network membership
Do you have offices
in other cities?
No. However, an office
of Consumer Complaint Cell (CCC) of TheNetwork, which deals with the consumer
complaints only, works in Mansehra. For details please visit
CCC section of this site.
Who funds TheNetwork?
TheNetwork
raises support from various multilateral and bilateral organizations. It has
been supported by OXFAM, UNICEF, WHO, Stanley Thomas Johnson Foundation,
Consumers International, Department for International Development (DFID), GTZ
and Church World Services (CWS). Currently, a five years major program in
consumer protection is mainly being supported by DFID. TheNetwork also
generates funds through membership fees, subscription fees, members’ donations
and occasional consultancies. As a cardinal principle, no cash or kind support
is sought or accepted from commercial organizations.
Does TheNetwork have
helpline to advise consumers on purchasing?
No. The monthly
publication of TheNetwork ‘Sarif Ki Pasand’, however, carries information for
consumers on selected products and services.
Does TheNetwork
provide funding to consumer groups?
TheNetwork is not a donor
organization and thus does not fund consumer groups. However, it shares its
resources with partner organizations and groups when it engages in combined
projects.
How the Network Test
Products?
Products are tested in
credible public and private sector laboratories and the version of
manufacturers on test results is sought before publishing the information.
Does TheNetwork
engage in litigation?
Yes. TheNetwork engages
in public interest litigations with special reference to public health and
consumer protection.
Why is TheNetwork
more focused on public health?
Consumers
are fleeced and betrayed in health sector badly in
Pakistan
. TheNetwork bids to educate consumers on public health,
rational use of medicine, medical negligence and negative practices of
healthcare workers.
Does Pakistan have
Consumer Protection Laws?
Pakistan
has following Consumer
Protection Legislations: 1) Islamabad Consumer Protection Act 1995 2) NWFP
Consumer Protection Act 1997 (Amended 2005) 3) Punjab Consumer Protection Act
2005 4) Balochistan Consumer Protection Act 2003 5) Sindh Consumer Protection
Bill (yet to be promulgated)
How to send a
complaint to TheNetwork’s Consumer Complaint Cell (CCC)?
The complaint can be
registered online. Please see
CCC section of this site. It
can be emailed at
complaintcell@thenetwork.org.pk
or posted through a letter to ‘Complaint Cell’ TheNetwork for Consumer
Protection, 40-A Ramzan Plaza G-9 Markaz Islamabad. The complaints can be
registered through phone 051-2261085 or fax 051-2262495 or visiting in-person
the office.
How much CCC is
effective in getting complaints redressed?
With
sheer lack of implementation of Consumer Protection Laws the complaint cell
uses out of the court methods to resolve/pursue complaints. The success rate of
redress is good where consumers have legal protection under regulatory
authorities like PEMRA, PTA, OGRA, NEPRA etc. In other matters like warranties
and poor quality of products, most of the consumer complaints are redressed
through pursuing the product or service providers.
What sort of
complaints are not entertained in CCC?
The
complaints regarding tax & customs, job, inter-departmental disputes,
family, civil and criminal matters and cases already pending with courts, are
not entertained in CCC.
How to subscribe
publications of TheNetwork?
You
can subscribe a selected publication through simply obtaining a membership or
can subscribe some specific publication by filling subscription form attached
with every magazine or requesting for it through phone, email, fax, letter or
in-person visit.
How TheNetwork
connects itself to consumers?
TheNetwork
remains in close contact with consumers in the country through circulation of
publications; various out-reach programmes, field surveys and media.
How TheNetwork
co-relates with other civil society organizations?
TheNetwork
actively involves in networking on various civil society issues with other
organizations. TheNetwork is a member of Joint Action Committee on Women Rights
and NGO forums. TheNetwork takes initiative in formulation of a network on some
particular issue, engaging other organizations.
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