A Critical Appraisal of Consumer Protection Laws and E-Commerce in Pakistan

Abstract

This paper examines how Pakistan's legal system can safeguard the rights of online shoppers by conducting a critical analysis of the Consumer Protection Law. This study acknowledges that consumers may now purchase and sell goods and services more easily and affordably, but it also puts them at risk of having their basic rights and interests infringed via e-commerce, which is dangerous for them. Customers purchase things online, but when they get them, they are dissatisfied with the quality since the online retailer did not ship the same quality product as it was advertised online. Additionally, there is no return or refund policy on the websites for either the goods or the money spent. On the basis of rules that are ambiguous and are construed by online sellers, online merchants reject the claim of the customer. There are a ton of authorized and unauthorized internet sellers selling the same item for the same price. The customer has trouble telling the difference between legitimate and fraudulent websites while looking to buy a product. Even if the customer experiences any loss during the transaction, some websites do not provide a complaint cell or a feedback option. After collecting payment for the goods, some websites additionally restrict access for customers. There is no Redressal mechanism provided  in the current legislation for the consumers who shop through e-commerce. Hence there is a grim need to amend the existing consumer protection laws at federal and provincial levels to accommodate the consumer’s right in the competitive markets.