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Senior Citizens’ Welfare Bill 2013 is to provide facilities to the senior citizens

Provincial Minister for Population Welfare, Begum Zakia Shahnawaz Lahore: Provincial Minister for Population Welfare, Begum Zakia Shahnawaz has said that purpose of Senior Citizens’ Welfare Bill 2013 is to provide facilities to the senior citizens because they are an important part of our society.

She said this while addressing provincial advisory meeting on senior citizen bill held at a local hotel under the auspices of Jag Welfare Movement and Health Age International. Assembly Members, Parliamentary Secretary Information & Culture Rana Muhammad Arshad, Director South Asia Help Age, Mr. Beeter besides other concerned officers were present on the occasion.

Begum Zakia Shahnawaz said that number of senior citizens is increasing rapidly which is a matter of both happiness and concern. She said that developing countries including Pakistan are striving hard for the welfare of the aged persons by considering it a challenge. She said that various countries have also formulated a strategy for legislation in this regard. Issuance of pension to senior citizens has been arranged in more than 100 countries, she added. She said that counters have also been set up in various hospitals for free treatment of aged persons.

The Minister said that besides government, civil society is also playing its effective role for making life of senior citizens peaceful. She said that old age homes will be set up throughout the province for elderly people where they will be provided all basic facilities. Begum Zakia Shahnawaz said that due to non-availability of food and other necessities, the people up to the age of 40 look much more aged in Pakistan and other developing countries.

She said that 47% elderly men and 24% women are forced to work hard for earning their livelihood and sometimes they are tortured physically and mentally. Begum Zakia Shahnawaz said if all the political parties work collectively to pass this Bill, we can pay back our senior citizens.

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