By our correspondent
LAHORE: The newly introduced auto policy is not fulfilling the aspirations of the people and lacks proper safeguard measures.
It is learnt that a number of people had approached Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and expressed their dissatisfaction over the newly approved auto policy and criticised its many aspects.
The consumers in their letters to the prime minister mentioned a number of flaws and shortcomings in the said policy and requested him to personally look into the matter and resolve their problems.
They were of the view that their demand for consumer protection have not been addressed in the policy and they were simply left at the mercy of the auto manufacturers. They said that the policy had failed to address many areas of consumer’s concern, while problems and difficulties faced by them have not been given proper attention and no solution in this connection has been provided in the policy. It seems that the policy-makers have not given due consideration to the consumers’ point of view to resolve their problems.
The massive influx of vehicles has no doubt prompted the authorities concerned to expand and improve the road network all across the country. But still the human safety element is no where to be seen in any of the government’s initiatives. Such a situation demands not only a proper traffic mechanism, strict enforcement of traffic laws but also a regulatory body that could make it mandatory for the auto sector to equip vehicles with all the gadgets and tools for protection from such mishaps.
Not only that pricing system, premium and late deliveries go unchecked by the government or any other public forum, but also the passengers’ safety which is of greater importance has been totally neglected and the auto makers have had a field day so far.
The matters pertaining to high prices, shortage of vehicles and lack of security related instruments and increasing number of road accidents demand establishment of an authority to cope with the need of the hour.
They requested the prime minister to revise the auto policy keeping in view required improvement to make it truly reflective of the aspirations of the general people, particularly the consumers.