Daily Times

The Sindh Rural Support Organization organized a media sensitization workshop here in Shikarpur to raise awareness on needs, issues and rights of older people in the country. A discussion on Sindh Senior Citizens welfare act was also carried out.

Pakistan is 6th most populous country in the world; it is one of those 15 countries in the world where number of people with age 60 and above are more than 10 million. Currently, the number of older people in Pakistan is around 15 million which is expected to be 45 million by 2050.

Population ageing is one of the key trends of the 21st century which has wide implications for all aspects of society. Around the world, two people celebrate their 60th birthday every second. By 2050, first time in the human history, there will be older people than children under 15. It was briefed by Mr Shahid Lakho on the ground situation of senior citizens in district Shikarpur.

Population ageing is a global phenomenon; world is experiencing a demographic transition

Population ageing is a global phenomenon now and our world is experiencing a demographic transition. Increasing longevity is a triumph of development and one of the humanity’s greatest achievements. However, ageing also presents social, economic and cultural challenges to individuals, families, societies and the global community.

Ms. Maria Soomro shared that Population Ageing is happening faster in Asia and especially in South Asia. Different countries around the world are developing legislations for protection of rights of Older People. Government of Pakistan has also initiated the legislation process and Sindh assembly approved Sindh Senior Citizen’s welfare Act in 2016. This is first ever legislation for protection of the rights of older people in the province, hence a great achievement of the provincial government. The implementation of this act will support older people to live a happy, active, secure, healthy and dignified people.

Majority of the people in Pakistan are employed with informal and semi-formal sectors including the agriculture and private sector. People employed with government institutions are less than 10 percent of the total employed population and only those employed with the government are entitled for an old age pension leaving out a vast majority of the population without any social protection in older age. With age and without any social protection, vulnerabilities of the older women and men increase disproportionately.

Mr. Abdul Sami said that older people rights are clearly articulated in the constitution of the; Article 38-B states that “The state shall provide for all citizens, within the available resources of the country, facilities for work and adequate livelihood with reasonable rest and leisure”. Similarly, 38-C says, “the state provides for all persons employed in the services of Pakistan or otherwise, social security by the compulsory social insurance or other means. And article 38-D provides the necessities of life, such as food, clothing, housing, education and medical relief for all such citizens.

Sindh Senior Citizens welfare act comes under debate; The Government of Pakistan had also ratified Madrid Plan of Action for Older people back in 1992

Also, Pakistan is party to several human rights treaties which talk about the rights of older people. The Government of Pakistan had also ratified Madrid Plan of Action for Older people back in 1992.

Ms. Maria Soomro highlighted that implementation of Sindh Senior Citizens Welfare act- 2014 is now a key to a dignified life of older people in the province. If implemented, the acts include privileges and services of older people which can support older people to a big extent providing free geriatric, medical and health services with free medicines as prescribed by the respective Medical Officer from Government. She further said that there are a number of practices in different countries for facilitating older people. Countries have decided retirement age, they are spending more on elderly care, ensuring social engagements, easy insurance schemes and state supported shelter homes. In Pakistan, there are a number of services which can help older people like, Baitulmal act 1992, Zakat and usher ordinance 1980, EOBI 1976, Pakistan poverty alleviation fund, and National defence certificates (Behbud).

The sustainable development goal’s vision by 2030 is an imperative guide, i.e. zero poverty, where all people can live in dignity throughout their lives, free from poverty, exclusion, violence and discrimination. The issue of ageing is directly related to 11 out of 17 SGDs and also reflected clearly in the same. ‘Leave no one behind’ – a key theme of the SDGs, aims at making all development policies and actions inclusive of all people. Under SDG 1, Target 1.3 states ‘Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable’.