PM pays ode to the elderly on International Day of Older Persons
Talking on the occasion of the International Day of Older Persons, the premier said the international day highlights the rights of older persons and “our obligations at individual and collective levels to make sure that those rights are fulfilled,” adding that Pakistan joins the world community today in observing the day.
The theme for 2012 commemoration is “Longevity: Shaping the Future”, which emphasises the need for benefiting from the experience and wisdom of the old generation in shaping the future. The premier said older people were a repository of experience, knowledge and wisdom, adding that Islam calls upon its followers to show the utmost respect and reverence for older people.
“They are our best support and a great source of encouragement when our chips are down and we are in need of solace. They are our great friends when we need someone to listen to us and express our feelings. In addition to this, they connect us to our religious, cultural and social values and traditions,” the premier said.
“We live in a society, which accords the highest respect to the senior citizens and holds them in the high esteem. They enjoy special perks and privileges in our society. The norms of respect and reverence for older people have held ground despite socio-cultural blizzards that have swept the globe,” the PM said, adding that the best way to pay tribute to our older generation for their services and contributions is to help them stay as productive.
“Let them not feel irrelevant. Let them feel that they are part and parcel of our lives, so central to the way we go about living our life.”
Published in The Express Tribune, October 1st, 2012.
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