If you’re old, avoid Peshawar like the plague
Pakistan may not be an elderly-friendly country in general but if you’re about to retire, Peshawar ought to be your last destination.
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s capital does not have a single old home, public or private, nor does it have any non-governmental organisations working for senior citizens’ rights or issues in the province.
The province is yet to set up a chapter of the Senior Citizens Association of Pakistan (SCAP).
The organisation has chapters in Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad but Mohammad Tariq Bucha, information secretary for SCAP’s Lahore chapter, says so far no one has contacted them about opening an office in Peshawar.
“We will welcome any one who approaches us with this idea from KP,” he said, adding that the organisation had over a 1,000 members across the country. Its main agenda is to press for the rights of senior citizens.
Rs8.12 per day allowance
If the situation in the private sector is dim, the public sector is downright dark.
The provincial government, since 2006, has been giving a one-off Rs3,000 allowance to senior citizens in three remote districts of Kohsitan, Battagaram and Shangla. This allowance was given to about 313 senior citizens above 60 years of age in these districts every year, claimed an official at the social welfare department.
“Every year, the district social welfare officer sends new names for the allowance,” he added.
The government has decided to increase this amount to Rs6,000 from next year, and extend the scheme to Torghar district as well, he added. The official said he was not aware of any other initiatives being taken for the welfare of senior citizens.
“I do not know about any NGO working for welfare of senior citizens nor any old home exists in Peshawar,” he said.
The only perk of being a senior citizen in this city, is the half-fare in public transport, thanks to General Ziaul Haq.
Despite their manifest absence, provincial minister for social welfare and women development Sitara Ayaz insisted the government is committed to the welfare of the senior citizens.
At present, she said, the social welfare department was “mulling over initiating an old home as a pilot project in the provincial capital.”
Published in The Express Tribune, December 26th, 2011.
COMMENTS (4)
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If KP were to get its hydel profit from Islamabad it will be able to take care of citizens.
Absolutely wrong. I am sorry to say I find it a thoughtless article.
I have lived my life in my hometown and in Peshawar. And I must advise that people who get old should be in Peshawar, and the reason is so clear even a child will grasp it: Peshawar is the province's biggest city with the most advanced health facilities at both public and private hospitals. So many people I know have already taken their aged parents and relatives to Peshawar and staying there because in this age, you need to take the elderly frequently to a medial facility. It is very difficult to rush the aged to a city in case of emergency and always helpful to keep them near big hospitals as in Peshawar. So please keep this point in mind.
About homeless people, yes a lot has to be done, not only in Peshawar but everywhere in Pakistan, and even in the US.
I am totally differ & protest on your headline, what you want to show that peshawari people don’t have time, esteem & sympathy for old people. This is wrong we respect not just our elders but all over the society. There is no need of old home in Peshawar because we don’t get bored by them like “civilized” nations. This is plus point of Peshawar that there is no old home but you trid to show it like minus point. If you want to discuss govt funds for olds or criticize some points just go on simply don’t mention people’s role in a joky way. I hope understood, what I want to say……………….. Byeeeeeeee