But then, it is often when hope seems lost that some of the great acts of nobility restore our faith in humanity.
Muhammad Siddique’s is one such story. The 70-year-old has been running an old people’s home for over five years now.
Located in the Gold Chamber Plaza near Naz Cinema on Murree Road, and named after Siddique’s parents, Mukhtar Begum and Ghulam Qadir, the MGQ Memorial Trust houses 22 old people, including seven women.
He says he finds peace at the old folks’ home. “I feel like a fish-out-of-water when I am away.”
Siddique laid the foundation of the old people’s home on January 4, 2009. He says people often drop their parents here, while hospitals sometimes contact them as well to take in elderly patients who have no caregivers available.
“We also try to convince people not to abandon their parents in old homes. Very few understand that their parents and relatives need their attention and care.”
A staff of seven looks after the residents. A total of 159 people have spent time at the shelter.
The average monthly expenditure of the shelter house is between Rs300,000 to Rs400,000, which is mostly borne by Siddique and his friends.
In terms of facilities, a washerman visits once-a-week to do the laundry, while a dispensary and a healthcare room are available for a doctor to regularly examine people’s blood pressure and weight, and help paralysed patients exercise.
There is a separate room for the disabled, where 3 CCTV cameras monitor the patients round the clock.
Ghulam Muhayuddin Chughtai, an inmate, hails from Gujranwala but spent most of his life in Karachi, where he worked as an audit officer in the Industrial Development Bank of Pakistan (IDBP). He sat on a sofa in his room while his wife Kalsum lay on the bed. The couple had a son who died in an accident. After the death of his son, Chughtai says their relatives took over all their possessions and left the couple in this old home. But it wasn’t the possessions he missed. It was the kitchen, where his wife would cook something delicious for him every day.
Zubaida Begum, 96, who hails from Rawalpindi, said that she had a son and four daughters, but none of them was willing to take care of her.
At first, they left her with her niece in the city, who later handed her over to the trust. With tears in her eyes, she said she still wishes her children well and prays for their well-being.
The head caretaker said Zubaida’s daughters are well-settled in Islamabad but have never bothered to visit her.
Shameem Begum, who is from Faisalabad, said she had a daughter who cares about her, but her son-in-law did not want her in his house. She was still happy that her daughter comes by to visit “once in a while”.
Another inmate said he ended up in the old home after his son and his wife both died.
As for Rasheed Sadiq, another housemate, the only words he was willing to say were, “Hai sub kuch per hai kuch nahin, apna wo he jo waqt pe kaam aey”. (We have everything and nothing, a true friend sticks through thick and thin)
Published in The Express Tribune, June 30th, 2014.
COMMENTS (6)
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@muzalla: With due regards, I am to state that we are not talking about a particular case in this case he can employ some one to look after his mother and we can understand his problem but what about those well to do people who are having all comforts of life but send their old age parents to old age home. I will request you to watch a TV program by famous Indian Actor Amir Khan Satyamev Jayte about old parents which is available on Ytube, it is very touching.
While most of the people in old houses have been abandoned by their relatives, what about the people who are sick and alone in this world and needs medical care because of old age? I do not like old houses but some people actually need it. I know of a very good family of only mother n son and son went to USA to work, since he got his nationality he comes as often as he can even twice a year when possible just to be with his mother and applied for her immigration but as everyone is aware it takes a long time to process, they were happily waiting but suddenly her mother got sick he came back and tried to work from here which is very difficult due to electricity and internet issues now shez very sick and needs full care the relatives are no longer helpful and the son would lose his job and if he does he wont be able to provide for his mother as he is no millionaire now he is considering oldhouse options, is he wrong in doing so? what should he do because hes a good son and only wants best for his mother , he doesnot intend to abandon her only wants someone to care for his mother till he can come back to take his mother to USA.
Selfish people. They ought to be ashamed of themselves. Even being born and living here in the UK, i could never dream of doing such a thing. Its an absolute honor and a privilege to be able to serve them in their old age.
Need to bring back the values that have been lost, among this selfish minority. TV channels and others (individuals) who have large following must reinforce the the idea of serving ones parents in old age, and/or those without any children by supporting these charities.
@Kulwant, thats right, most do look after their parents. Very lucky in that regard, compared to many other ethnic groups which have a higher rate of sending parents to care homes. Totally unthinkable to many Paks, but some still do unfortunately.
Thanks ET for posting this, very few other news outlets in PK post these sorts of stories, as there is so much else going on things like this aren't given any importance.
absolutely heartbreaking..almost unimaginable to abandon parents..
@ Kulwant Singh: Yes you are right that Children of any religion might give disrespect to their parents, but Islam teach us to give full respect and honor to our parents and don't even say a single word of complain while caring them. But unfortunately due to little knowledge of Islam as well as of humanity people are not fulfilling their religious, social and moral responsibilities. There could be several reasons to disown their own parents which could be either economical, or social but still you can not use any excuse for this act.
My daughter is settled in Norway and she is having many Pakistani friends and she told me that the Pakistanis take care of their parents very well and give them full regard and that made me to think that the Muslims are better than us because they care very much for their parents but after reading this article I am pained because the children may be Hindus, Sikhs or Muslims do not give due respect to their parents and they are compelled to join these old age homes when they require the help of their dear ones.