THE other day I visited the US embassy located in the Diplomatic Enclave, Islamabad. This is one embassy in the Enclave that attracts the higher number of visitors. At the reception the clerk pasted the outer page of my passport with a sticker that read ‘senior citizen’.

Thereafter, a VIP protocol was set in motion for me. In the adjacent crowded hall each applicant was to visit three different windows to complete the process of interviews.

Already against each window there were long lines of applicants, both men women, waiting for their turn.

I was ushered into each window by a cheerful staff member giving me first.

Within five minutes the process from the three windows was completed and I exited the venue highly elated. Thank you America for making me conscious that senior age is a symbol of a special status.

Interestingly, in Pakistan no special treatment is accorded to senior citizens in any walk of life. Perhaps Pakistani Muslims should emulate America to confer special favours on senior citizens.

G.B. Shah Bokhari

Peshawar

Published in Dawn December 4th, 2016