ISLAMABAD: Speaking at a seminar about the problems the older generation faces, National Council of Social Welfare (NCSW) Chairman Dr Nadeem Shafiq Malik on Wednesday stressed on the need for legislation for protecting the rights of older people and making sure they are provided with the right services.

Mr Malik said his organisation is working on various initiatives to bring positive changes in the lives of senior citizens.

“We are also working on a draft bill which will be tabled in parliament after approval from the law ministry,” he said.

Also speaking at the seminar titled “Senior citizens of Pakistan, their problems and possible solutions,” which the NCSW hosted, was dean of social sciences at Preston University Dr Firoza Ahmed who urged youth to take care of older people, saying a little care can make them feel better.

Prof Dr Asghar Zaidi from the Southampton University, who is researching into the problems faced by older people in collaboration with the British Council Pakistan and HelpAge International said to advocate for the rights of older people is an investment into one’s own future.

“If we do not take up the issue of senior citizen’s rights, a disaster will be awaiting us,” he warned, adding that the government should focus on health facilities and universal pension in order to enable senior citizens to live independently.

He said the older population is under strong focus in international development, which he said is not possible unless inequalities associated with age are addressed.

“Pakistan is the sixth most populous country and is among the 15 countries where more than 10 million people over the age of 60 live. It is estimated that seven percent of the country’s population is over 60, which makes about 11.6 people. This figure will rise to 43.3 million by 2050,” he said.

Other speakers at the seminar included associate professor at Quiad-i-Azam University Dr Waheed Chaudhry, former Federal Secretary for Women Development Parveen Qadir Agha and former bureaucrat Muzafar Qureshi. They urged the government to take steps for the well being of senior citizens.

They said older people should be provided with proper health care, social security, old age benefits, a proper diet and protect them from violence and abuse.

Published in Dawn, July 28th, 2016