A citizen in Karachi has taken a shoe retailer to court over an unexpected Rs 30 charge for a plastic shopping bag, sparking legal action and prompting intervention from the Sindh government.
The case, which was discussed on the prime minister’s portal, has gained attention after the Bureau of Supply Prices stepped in. The complainant keeps on stating that after purchasing a pair of shoes, they were forced to pay an additional amount for a plastic shopping bag, which they believed was unfair and unjustified.
Despite multiple notices from the authorities, the retailer failed to respond, leading Assistant Director of the Bureau of Supply Prices, Mir Shahnawaz, to escalate the matter to the Consumer Protection Court (South). The court has now officially taken up the case, with the first hearing scheduled for March 6.
This incident is not an isolated one. Similar consumer protection cases have been gaining momentum across Sindh, highlighting unfair pricing practices in various industries. Just last month, a transport organization was heavily fined for taking extra charges from the people who prefer to travel on local vehicles.
The Consumer Protection Court (East) had imposed an overall fine of RS 75000 on the bus service, with Rs50,000 awarded to the complainant as compensation and Rs25,000 allocated for legal costs. Additionally, the company was ordered to refund the Rs600 overcharge to the passenger.
Consumer rights activists argue that businesses should not pass hidden costs onto customers and that charging for basic necessities—such as shopping bags—without prior notice is an unfair trade practice. While some retailers justify these charges as part of their effort to discourage plastic use, consumers believe such policies should be clearly communicated upfront rather than imposed unexpectedly at checkout.
With this case now in court, many are watching closely to see whether it will set a precedent for fair pricing and consumer rights in Pakistan. If the ruling favors the complainant, it could lead to stricter enforcement of consumer protection laws and encourage more individuals to stand up against unfair business practices.