Citizens’ rights: Senate sanctions shelter homes for the elderly
The resolution for new shelter homes was moved by Pakistan Peoples Party Senator Karim Ahmed Khawaja.
ISLAMABAD:
The upper house of the Parliament on Monday passed a resolution for establishing shelter houses for senior citizens.
The house also urged the government to take special steps to create awareness among masses through such necessary legislation. However, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) opposed the move saying that parents should be accommodated by their children, adding that, “We should follow teachings of Islam which disseminates message of love for parents.”
The resolution for new shelter homes was moved by Pakistan Peoples Party Senator Karim Ahmed Khawaja.
Khawaja said that a number of old people are living in the country without shelters and families. He said under the Constitution, it is the responsibility of the government to defend the rights of its citizens, and hence so old people must be given comfortable homes. He added that our religion also supports the concept of social welfare state therefore; shelter houses must be set up for the senior citizens.
Taking part in debate, PPP Senator Saeed Ghani said the programme should be started from the big cities of the country and later to be shifted at the districts’ level. He said according to reports a number of senior citizens are homeless and living on roads.
Meanwhile, Senator Farhatullah Babar said under the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) financial assistance is being provided to the poor masses through different programmes. He said that a BISP unit must be set up to address the issue of shelter houses for the senior citizens. Opposition leader in the house Senator Ishaq Dar said that an independent foundation should be made and government and philanthropists can contribute in it to set up shelter houses for the deserving senior citizens.
Senator Saeeda Iqbal said the government should set up shelter houses because it is the need of the hour. “The government must improve the condition of women shelter houses which already exist in different parts of the country.”
The upper house of the Parliament on Monday passed a resolution for establishing shelter houses for senior citizens.
The house also urged the government to take special steps to create awareness among masses through such necessary legislation. However, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) opposed the move saying that parents should be accommodated by their children, adding that, “We should follow teachings of Islam which disseminates message of love for parents.”
The resolution for new shelter homes was moved by Pakistan Peoples Party Senator Karim Ahmed Khawaja.
Khawaja said that a number of old people are living in the country without shelters and families. He said under the Constitution, it is the responsibility of the government to defend the rights of its citizens, and hence so old people must be given comfortable homes. He added that our religion also supports the concept of social welfare state therefore; shelter houses must be set up for the senior citizens.
Taking part in debate, PPP Senator Saeed Ghani said the programme should be started from the big cities of the country and later to be shifted at the districts’ level. He said according to reports a number of senior citizens are homeless and living on roads.
Meanwhile, Senator Farhatullah Babar said under the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) financial assistance is being provided to the poor masses through different programmes. He said that a BISP unit must be set up to address the issue of shelter houses for the senior citizens. Opposition leader in the house Senator Ishaq Dar said that an independent foundation should be made and government and philanthropists can contribute in it to set up shelter houses for the deserving senior citizens.
Senator Saeeda Iqbal said the government should set up shelter houses because it is the need of the hour. “The government must improve the condition of women shelter houses which already exist in different parts of the country.”