MOST of us would be spending Eidul Fitr with our families and children, but there are many who will spend the occasion either alone at home or in old-age homes. I usually avoid watching the heart-wrenching episodes wherein television reporters talk to people in old-age homes abandoned by their own children who have gone abroad for a better life, or have decided to live a better life within Pakistan without sharing it with their parents. I find such interviews depressing to watch; agonising and painful.

The most unfortunate, however, are those who have families but live in secluded rooms, discarded and ignored by their own children or families because of family issues or conflicts among family members. They would be much better off living in old-age homes as they would be able to avoid the miserable and depressing atmosphere at home, but they are not admitted there because of social pressures.

Here I am reminded of the Senior Citizens Bill 2021 passed by both houses and made into an act which also envisaged setting up of old-age homes for elderly and senior citizens besides other subsidies. Unfortunately, the act is yet to be implemented in the real sense.

I know that issues related to senior citizens have never been high on the priority list of any government, but still they form a significant part of the population and need to be taken care of like in all the developed countries of the world.

Malik ul Quddoos
Karachi

Published in Dawn, April 10th, 2024