Islamabad: Kaukab Iqbal, Chairman of the Consumers Association of Pakistan, attended the meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue held on 7th May 2026 at Parliament House, Islamabad, during pre-budget consultations with various associations.
During the meeting, Kaukab Iqbal highlighted serious concerns regarding the absence of printed retail prices on several essential consumer products, including cooking oil, ghee, dairy products, infant formula milk, and frozen foods. He stated that under consumer protection principles, every consumer product should carry a clearly printed retail price to ensure transparency and protect consumers from overcharging.
He pointed out that these products are currently excluded from the Third Schedule requirement regarding mandatory printed prices, resulting in retailers charging different prices from consumers. He emphasized that due to unjustified price fluctuations, consumers often face sudden price jumps ranging from Rs. 600 to Rs. 1,800 on essential household items, causing significant financial burden on the public.
Kaukab Iqbal urged the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue to recommend the expansion of the Third Schedule to include cooking oil, ghee, dairy products, infant formula milk, and frozen foods, ensuring mandatory printed retail prices on all such items.
He further stated that transparent pricing is essential for safeguarding consumer rights, preventing exploitation, and creating fairness in the retail market.
Senator Saleem Mandviwalla, Chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue, advised Kaukab Iqbal to submit a detailed list of products on which retail prices are not printed, along with other grievances faced by consumers. He assured that the Committee remains available throughout the year to hear consumer concerns and welcomed continued engagement from the Consumers Association of Pakistan.
Senator Saleem Mandviwalla also assured Kaukab Iqbal that the Committee would seriously examine the matter and consider appropriate measures to address the issue of non-printed retail prices in order to protect consumers and improve market transparency.
