Int'l Day of Senior Citizens observed

ISLAMABAD: The International Day of Senior Citizens was observed on Saturday across the globe including Pakistan with social gatherings that called for respecting the older persons in communities.

Various events in this regard celebrated the day in a befitting and appropriate manner, remembering contributions of senior citizens to their families and communities.

The day was marked with the theme of "The Growing Opportunities and Challenges of Global Ageing" to examine issues that affect the lives of senior citizens.

Senior Citizen Foundation of Pakistan held an annual General Meeting here for enactment of Senior Citizens Bill lying with the Government for last ten years.

Addressing the event, Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan, President of the Foundation said the bill would provide a comprehensive social welfare system to 10 million senior citizens of the country.

He also made an appeal to senior citizens to use their talent and resources individually and collectively for the welfare and advancement of the community in general and for the country as a whole.

Radios, televisions or newspapers published interviews with senior citizens on various issues such as achievements they made to create a better society across the globe.

According to national demographic survey, senior citizens constitute 10 per cent of the total population of Pakistan and this figure is likely to rise to 15 per cent during the next five to ten years.

Senior Citizens Foundations or Welfare Trusts are working for the welfare of Senior Citizens throughout the country.

The Foundations have established Day Care Centers at community level where health education, recreational programmes are arranged.

The organizations are working with a motto `Senior Citizens are an asset, not a liability' and trying to enable senior citizens to become active members of society and play their role in the development of the nation.

The World Health Organization (WHO), which is the UN's directing and coordinating agency for health related issues and other groups have been actively involved in promoting public awareness and attention on the International Day of Older Persons.

Discussions are centered on topics such as: ageing populations and the provision of adequate healthcare for aged persons; volunteer work; social care's and ways to be more inclusive of older persons in the workforce.

On December 14, 1990, the UN General Assembly declared October 1 as the International Day of Older Persons, following up on initiatives such as the Vienna International Plan of Action on Ageing, which was adopted by the 1982 World Assembly on Ageing and endorsed later that year by the assembly. The International Day of Older Persons was observed for the first time throughout the world on Oct 1, 1991.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2011