Islamabad: The Senate Monday passed a unanimous resolution recommending the government to establish shelter houses for the senior citizens through necessary legislation and take special steps to create awareness among masses to respect their elders.
Earlier taking part in the discussion, mover of the resolution Dr. Karim Ahmad Khawaja said that a number of old people are living in the country without shelters and families.
He said under the Constitution of the country it is the responsibility of the government to defend the rights of its citizens.
He said our religion also supports the concept of social welfare state therefore, shelter houses must be set up for the senior citizens.
Saeed Ghani said the programme should be started from the big cities of the country and later to be shifted at the districts’ level. He said according to reports a number of senior citizens are homeless and living on roads.
Saeeda Iqbal said the government should set up shelter houses because it is the need of the hour. She said the government must also improve the condition of women shelter houses already existing in different parts of the country.
Farhatullah Babar said under Benazir Income Support Programme financial assistance is being provided to the poor masses through different programmes.
He said in the same way a unit of BISP must be set up to address the issue of shelter houses for the senior citizens.
Ishaq Dar said that an independent foundation should be made and government and philanthropists can contribute in it to set up shelter houses for the deserving senior citizens.
Among others who spoke on the occasion include Kamil Ali Agha, Surriya Amiruddin, M. Hamza, Babar Ghauri, Najma Hameed, Kazim Khan, Raja Zafarul Haq, Khalida Parveen, Ilyas Bilour, Raza Rabbani, Hasil Bizenjo, Kalsoom Parveen, Haji Muhammad Adeel and Muddassir Sehar Kamran.