PAKISTAN: Five Senior Citizens Centres To Be Set Up

ISLAMABAD (Pakistan Times), November 1, 2004: Pakistan's Ministry of Social Welfare is considering to establish five senior citizens centres, one each at federal and provincial headquarters. The other proposal is to set-up a project management unit in the Ministry to deal with the issue relating to the well-being of the senior citizens, sources at Ministry of Social Welfare and Special Education said here Friday. The sources said some concessions to provide special facilities to the senior citizens have been approved and forwarded to concerned agencies, organizations and departments for implementation. Principles of Respect and Care The children in schools would be taught Islamic principles of respect and care of senior citizens in order to elevate their (aged persons) image and regard. This virtue will be incorporated as a part of moral education in the primary and middle schools' syllabus. The sources said this will help sensitize the new generation to demonstrate respect for aged persons and elevate their social position and image in the society. Enumerating the plans, the sources said under legal facilitation, all the courts and concerned institutions would give priority in handling the cases concerning aged persons and prisoners aged 70 or above with minor crimes be pardoned. Traditional Virtue Similarly, under traditional virtue of respecting/assisting aged persons, Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) would offer distant learning courses through state-run television with the objectives i.e. preparing the people for meeting the challenges of the old age and moral education to the society to respect and care the elderly. The other concession for elderly persons is free entry to public parks, museums, zoos, public libraries and priority at railway stations, airports, hospitals and banks. The sources said certain other proposals are also under consideration of the government, which have financial implication and the decision in this regard will be taken in due course of time. These proposals include specialized health care service to senior citizens by setting-up Geriatric Wards in five hospitals i.e. one each at Federal and Provincial headquarters and bearing the full or partial cost of treatment of senior citizens by the state.