Senior Citizens’ Bill 2013 will ensure senior citizens rights:Zakia Shahnawaz

Lahore: Advisor to Chief Minister Punjab, Begum Zakia Shahnawaz has said that with the passage of Senior Citizens’ Bill 2013, all facilities would be available to the elderly persons.

She was addressing an consultative meeting held regarding Senior Citizens Welfare Bill 2013. The meeting was arranged by Social Welfare Department Punjab with the collaboration of Jaag Welfare Movement and Helping Age International. Secretary Social Welfare Malik Tahir Sarfaraz Awan, Director General Social Welfare Malik Aslam, MPAs Anjum Safdar, Hafiz Akram, Abdul Quddus Akhtar, representatives of NGOs and concerned departments attended the meeting.

Begum Zakia Shahnawaz said that the number of persons, over sixty years of age, would reach one billion within the next ten years which is a point to ponder for us because with the increase in this number, the problems also multiply. She said that we have to take care of our parents as per the Islamic teachings. She said it is regrettable that the elderly persons are being neglected in our society.

Secretary Social Welfare, Malik Tahir Sarfaraz Awan said that population-wise, Pakistan is the 6th biggest country of the world where the number of over sixty persons is above one crore. He said that we should benefit from the presence of elderly persons and their experience. Director General Social Welfare, Malik Aslam said that the process of passing Senior Citizens Bill 2013 is under process with the consultation of other departments. The meeting reviewed the problems confronting senior citizens besides setting up of a Welfare Council for them. Director Programme, Hafiz Akram briefed the meeting regarding Senior Citizens Bill 2013.