Seminar Takes Up Senior Citizens' Issues

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 28th july,2016) : The problems of senior citizens were discussed at a semianr with a pledge to advocate and bring significant change to the lives of the seniors with more vigirous approach.

The event co-organized by National Council of Social Welfare (NCSW) and Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD) also suggested Income security, access to and use of healthcare, Employment, social inclusion and social participation, independent, healthy and secure living and Enabling age-friendly environment. Addressing the seminar Chairman, National Council of Social Welfare (NCSW) Dr Nadeem Shafiq Malik said, " Advocating for better human rights of old people is investing in our own future." His organization, he said, was fully devoted and determined to bring significant change in the lives of senior citizens to ensure their problems are resolved. "Senior citizen work as an academy for the young generation, we are actively engage in taking administrative steps, brain storming discussions, making legislation/policy reforms, research work is underway because this is constitutional obligation to work for old citizen of the country.", he added Secretary/Director NCSW Arif Shamim briefed about the facilities made available to seniors by the council, i.e.

Establishment of pension cell, redress the grievances of senior citizen and resolve issues, complaints related to Government departments, special helpline setup, library setup with free internet facility.

Further facilities are old age pension benifits (not only govt employees), Invalidity of pension, Behbood saving certificates, support from Bait-ul-mall, Guzara account and health facilities, as per requirement of every individual.

Head of HelpAge International (NGO) Asghar Zaid said, "We have planned to use the five domains of well-being of older people i.e. Income security, access to and use of healthcare, Employment, social inclusion and social participation, independent, healthy and secure living, Enabling age-friendly environment ." "This new British Council project will be undertaken in a close partnership with two relevant departments of the government, National Council of Social Welfare (NCSW) and the Ministry of Human Rights in Islamabad. "A close collaboration with the Planning Commission of Government of Pakistan will also be achieved during all stages of the project." he said. Former Federal Secretary of Women Development Mrs.

Parveen Qadir Agha, Nisar Ahmed, Project Director Establishment of Centre for Social Entrepreneurship Ministry of Planning, Development, & Reform, Dr. Abid Ghaffor Chaudhry (Assistant Professor) PMAS-Arid Agriculture University were also present in the seminar. The other participants were Government officers, senior citizens, representatives of NGO's and stakeholders.