Interview with Mr Kaukab Iqbal — Founding Chairman, Consumers Association of Pakistan
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 & 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 perform their best for consumers every year, Consumers Choice Awards distribution ceremony is organized. This prestigious event work as a bridge among consumers, manufacturers and service providers. This award has now become a tool for promoting healthy consumerism in Pakistan and a symbol of reward for those who work whole year for promoting best goods and services for consumers.
PAGE: Are oil refineries underutilised in Pakistan?
Kaukab Iqbal: Yes, unfortunately in Pakistan oil refineries are underutilized as country’s total refining capacities stands at 19.37 million tons per year whereas refineries produced 7.62 million tons of petroleum products in first eight months of current financial year 2022-23.
PAGE: Would the output of petrol and diesel spike in Pakistan if the refiners modernise plants?
Kaukab Iqbal:Â Of course, we will see spike in output of petrol and diesel if refineries adopt modernization and state-of-the-art plant for refining process.
PAGE: What is your standpoint on five main oil refineries in Pakistan?
Kaukab Iqbal:Â In my views all five refineries of our country have been running well below their respective capacities while this year refineries utilization remained 59 percent whereas 41 percent of capacity remained idle during current financial year 2022-23 and as a result consumers are facing acute shortage of petrol and diesel.
PAGE: Refineries play an important role in Pakistan’s energy landscape. Your views, please:
Kaukab Iqbal:Â Refineries play important role in Pakistan energy landscape and crises as they turn crude oil into petrol, diesel, furnace oil for running power plants and transportation. These refineries are also helpful for saving precious foreign exchange by cutting down huge import bill for petrol and other refined products.