Citizens’ rights: Senate calls for homes for elderly

House also urges government to take special steps to create awareness among masses through such necessary legislation.

ISLAMABAD: The upper house of parliament on Monday passed a resolution for establishing shelters 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.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 18^th, 2012.