- The country still struggling to overcome the pandemic fallout to flood devastation
- Drastic revolutionary steps are required to curtail govt expenditure
Interview with Mr. Kaukab Iqbal — Founding Chairman, Consumers Association of Pakistan
Profile:
Mr. Kaukab Iqbal is the founding Chairman of Consumers Association of Pakistan, one of the largest NGO of Pakistan working for providing awareness among masses regarding consumers rights and their protection. Since its inception on 13th September 2003, he has been trying to bring all Pakistanis under the umbrella of Consumer Association of Pakistan for developing effective consumers’ culture. He feels proud to inform us that due to untiring efforts and struggle they have gotten a great success in the greater interest of consumers by enforcement of Consumers Protection Act 2014 nationwide. After enactment of Consumer Protection Act 2014, consumers are enjoying more liberty to protect their rights as Consumers’ Courts are also working for providing immediate relief to consumers in all provinces.
To encourage consumers friendly business environment, CAP organise Consumer Choice Awards every year, which has become most prestigious award for business community and industrial sector who do their best keeping in view consumers’ choice. In recognition of his services, now he has been appointed as Advisor to Governor Sindh for Consumers’ Protection, which is great honour for him. Besides these achievements CAP is recognised by:-
1. UNIDO (United Nations Industrial Development Organisation)
2. USAID (United States Agency for International Development)
3. GWP (Global Water Partnership)
4. WHO (World Health Organization)
5. EU (European Union Commission)
6. CI (Consumers International Global Federation)
7. AAPR (Association for Airline Passengers’ Rights USA)
8. PNAC (Pakistan National Accreditation Council)
9. PEMRA (Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority)
10. OGRA (Oil & Gas Regulatory Authority)
11. CCP (Competition Commission of Pakistan)
12. PSQCA (Pakistan’s Standard & Quality Control Authority)
13. CAA (Civil Aviation Authority)
14. PTA (Pakistan Telecommunication Authority)
15. Wafaqi Mohtasib Office
16. KATI (Korangi Association of Trade & Industries)
17. State Bank of Pakistan.
In view of the above one can easily analyse the effective role of CAP and his working for Pakistani consumers as well as around the world.
PAKISTAN & GULF ECONOMISTÂ had an exclusive conversation with Mr Kaukab Iqbal about poverty. The excerpts of the conversation are as follows:
In fact, after Covid-19 and disastrous flood in Sindh and Punjab in 2022 about 60% population plunged below the poverty level as 300 million people were badly affected and became homeless whereas fertile land was devastated by flood water. Villagers were confined to their lands with fear and hunger and epidemic diseases. Whole infrastructure collapsed flood water could not be drawn out from affected areas for a long period as the government’s services sector completely failed to face this unprecedented disaster and combat the worst situation. At last on the International Forum, several countries including UNO joined hands for rehabilitation and relief work for flood-affected people in Pakistan. Ready crops of rice, wheat, and maize were swept away leaving behind traces of devastation.
The situation is worse as mentioned above as it is due to the crucial and critical economic situation of Pakistan’s current account deficit of $74 million and trade deficit of Rs 482.8 billion.
External Debt: US$130 billion
 Internal Debt: Rs2.978 trillion.
 Circular Debt Power Sector Rs2.31 trillion.
 Circular Debt Gas Sector Rs2900 billion.
 Gas Sector Loss Rs350 billion annually.
To meet Domestic & External Expenses Government of Pakistan taking Rs4 billion per day from commercial banks.
In such a worst economic scenario Government of Pakistan is totally unable to launch any concrete development programme in the public sector for the public interest that is why the poverty level is increasing day by day.
Drastic revolutionary steps are required to curtail government expenditure. At least nineteen ministries should be closed immediately. All nationalised organisations are a heavy burden on the government exchequer as running at a complete loss. These should be privatised to curtail the financial burden on the economy. All unproductive expenses should be minimised. The tax net should be enhanced. All subsidies should be abolished whatsoever for the elite class. Alternate energy resources should be adopted to minimise energy crises. The export sector should be encouraged. Â
Due to vicious economic circles Government of Pakistan has no options except to pay heavy external and internal debts, leaving no room for human development programme and other development programme for public welfare. The outcome of this situation is pushing a large volume of the population towards poverty as a population with no education, ill health, and less per capita income cannot stand in the rows of developed nations.
Poverty is globally acknowledged as a curse but in Pakistan, it is the outcome of bad governance and mega corruption in government as well as private sector. No doubt about 10% of the population in the world equivalent to 800 million people are living below the poverty line of $1.90 per day.
In Pakistan, poverty is a created issue of the elite class, unfortunately, according to the Swiss Bank Report Rs28 trillion deposits have been transferred to the Swiss Bank from the elite class of Pakistan in the shape of irregular practices. These accounts can be used for a tax-free budget for 30 years and can be used to diminish poverty level as employment opportunities can be provided to 60 million persons.
Some suggestions: constantly 4-lane motorways from any village to Islamabad; ensure forever free supply to move more than 500 social financial projects and financial Assistance of Rs20000/month to every person for 60 years.