The Government of Punjab has activated consumer protection councils across the province to improve public services and safeguard consumer rights under the updated legal framework, 24NewsHD TV channel reported on Friday.
According to the report, the move follows changes introduced through the Punjab Consumer Protection (Amendment) Act 2025, which expands the scope of protection to include both traditional and online transactions while also strengthening enforcement powers.
After the transfer of consumer courts to sessions courts, the government has directed directors of consumer protection councils to take immediate action upon receiving complaints.
Authorities said council teams will visit the location, investigate the matter and take action against shopkeepers if violations are found, while keeping the complainant informed.
A consumer protection office has been set up in J Block, Model Town, Lahore, where citizens can submit complaints. Consumers can also lodge complaints online from home through the official website.
Under the amended law, the councils have been expanded to 35 districts across Punjab to ensure wider access.
District consumer protection councils, chaired by deputy commissioners, have been given authority to address complaints related to defective goods, poor services, non-disclosure of product details and failure to issue receipts.
Officials said authorised officers, including deputy commissioners and assistant commissioners, can impose fines ranging from Rs1,000 to Rs100,000, or up to the value of the product or service, whichever is lower.
The law also provides for market monitoring, public awareness campaigns and inspections of businesses to ensure compliance with standards.
Consumer councils will offer free dispute resolution services, while cases already pending in previous consumer courts have been transferred to newly designated courts.
Authorities clarified that the consumer councils will operate independently and will not be directly involved in cases being heard by consumer courts.
Reporter: Shaheen Attique