Policy finalised on rights of senior citizens

The present government will extend its support for legislation on senior citizens rights, says Laghari.

A draft policy on the rights of senior citizens was finalised at a consultation workshop of the stakeholders here on Thursday. The draft will be presented to the parliament soon, said a press release issued by the organisers of the workshop.

The workshop was organized by National Council of Social Welfare (NCSW) of the Ministry of Capital Administration and Development (CAD), HelpAge International and Pakistan National Centre on Ageing (PNCA).

The participants of the workshop discussed and gave their inputs and finalised the draft of Senior Citizens Welfare Bill, 2012. CAD assured to present this bill to the Parliament soon.

Abdul Latif Laghari, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Capital Administration and Development, who chaired the workshop, said that the policy is now taking a tangible shape. The present government will extend its support for legislation on senior citizens rights, he said.

PNCA Secretary General Abdul Ghafoor explained the background of the legislation and policy for the welfare of senior citizens.

HelpAge Country Director Ajeeba Aslam said that the government should take interest in the matter and the parliament and the cabinet should provide legal cover for the facilities promised in the bill draft.

Pakistan Baitul Mal Managing Director Zamurd Khan, chief guest at the closing session, said that the initiatives taken by the CAD for the welfare of the senior citizens through the bill are appreciable.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 7^th, 2012.