Speakers at a workshop expressed concern over the absence of legislation for the protection of the rights of senior citizens, essentially depriving them of their basic rights.
They were speaking on Thursday at a sensitisation workshop on the rights of senior citizens in Pakistan at a local hotel, organised by the Ministry of Law, Justice and Human Rights in collaboration with the HelpAge International.
According to a press release, they said social protection is a key issues faced by older men and women in Pakistan despite the fact we all are born equal and this does not change as we grow older.
They said 11.6 million people, or seven per cent of the total population of Pakistan, are over 60 and this figure will rise to 43.3 million by 2050. They appreciated the present government’s attention to the issue and said a Senior Citizen Bill along with a policy has been developed with consultation from the federal government and it will soon be presented in the National Assembly.
Law Ministry Human Rights Director General Muhammad Arshad said serious efforts will be put down for long awaited legislation and a policy for the protection of the rights of older people. He further emphasised on the inclusion of seniors in the social protection policy which is under formulation.
Planning Ministry Population and Social Planning Chief Shahzad Ahmad Malik spoke about current and future demographic trends and issues faced by older people.
Capital Administration and Development Division Social Welfare Director Arif Shamim presented the scenario of Pakistan in the context of social protection and older people. It was highlighted that there is no scheme or program specifically designed for older people, therefore older people are facing number of social protection issues.
Senior citizens rights are human rights and we have to protect older people rights to end age discrimination, said Waqas Ashfaq Qureshi, advocacy and communications coordinator at HelpAge International.
He said most old people in developing countries live in poor environmental, health and financial conditions.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 27th, 2014.
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