Consumer Protection in Pakistan's Digital Economy: Assessing the Legal Framework for Safeguarding Consumers in E-commerce, Ensuring Product Safety, and Combating Online Scams

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of Pakistan's e-commerce industry— with a focus on the online retail sector. E-commerce has changed the face of business across the globe, redefining how organizations and consumers engage commercially. Pakistan's e-commerce market is still in its infancy but shows promise in terms of growth. This study delves into an evaluation of Pakistani laws related to consumer rights within the emerging digital economy of the country, specifically through e-commerce platforms. The essay has discussed various critical topics including product safety and consumer rights, as well as internet frauds— drawing from case studies and legal perception coupled with a review of existing literature which all point towards inadequacies present in the current system exacerbated by the overwhelming penetration of e-commerce. Thus, in order to ensure consumers’ safeguard in Pakistan’s developing digital economy, rigorous regulatory arrangement, proper consumer education, and stakeholder engagement are extremely recommended.