Consumer Court in Peshawar has declared it illegal for retailers to charge customers extra for carrying bags bearing the logo of the brand, fining a leading clothing brand Rs 50,000 in a ruling aimed at curbing unauthorized charges at the point of sale.
The decision was issued by Judge Nasrullah Khan Gandapur while hearing a complaint filed by a customer who was charged Rs 30 for a branded carrying bag at checkout. The court found the practice to be a violation of consumer rights, noting that packaging costs cannot be passed on to buyers as a separate, undisclosed charge.
As part of the verdict, the company was ordered to refund the Rs 30 collected from the complainant and pay Rs 25,000 in compensation directly to her. The court also imposed a separate penalty of Rs 25,000, which the company has been directed to deposit into the state treasury, bringing the total financial penalty to Rs 50,000.
The ruling adds to a growing body of consumer court decisions across Pakistan targeting retailers over undisclosed or unjustified charges, and is likely to prompt other clothing and retail brands to review their checkout practices regarding packaging costs.
