SUKKUR: Help Age International has announced to mark the International Day of Older People across the northern Sindh, including Shikarpur and Jacobabad, on Sunday.
Population ageing is a global issue now as the world is experiencing a demographic transition. According to Help Age International, with every tick of the clock, two people celebrate their 60th birthday across the globe. One out of every nine persons in the world is 60 years or older. This will be increased to 1 in 5 by 2050.
It is estimated that 7 per cent of the population of Pakistan is over 60 which makes this 13 million and this will rise to 44 million by 2050. However, the government of Sindh has also initiated the legislation process, and Senior Citizen Act has also been approved in the Sindh Assembly.
During a visit to Older People Associations, formed by Help Age International with the collaboration of Sindh Rural Support Organization (SRSO) in Jaccobabad and Shikarpur districts, the delegation of journalists met the office bearers and members of older people in different union councils, benefitting from livelihood programme by the Help Age International.
According to Waqas Qureshi, the communication and advocacy manager of Help Age International, the organisation is working with the SRSO in this regard and so far it has checked the eyes of thousands of older people free of cost.
