Citizens representing cross sections of society at a workshop have eulogised the role of Sindh Assembly in legislation on key issues and rights of women, children, minority community and senior citizens.
The speakers included ministers, members of Sindh Assembly, city councillors, civil society representatives and legal experts.
They were of the view that Sindh assembly had always taken lead on the key issues of marginalised segments of society.
They expressed these views at a one day workshop on “The Sindh Senior Citizens Act, 2014- A Step Towards Senior Citizens Rights” organised by social welfare department in collaboration with Sindh Rural Support Organization (SRSO) and Help Age International, said a statement on Wednesday.
However, they pointed out that laws were not implemented in letter and spirit for numerous reasons which had increased the troubles for women, children and minorities, and stressed the need to implement laws in letter and spirit.
Addressing the workshop, Sindh Minister for Health Sikandar Mendhro said that it was necessary and important that the bill passed by Sindh Assembly after a great deal of deliberations needed to implement the act with its spirit.
He advised to frame the rules of business of Sindh Senior Citizens Act with the consultations of all stakeholders, particularly transporters trade unions, traders and private health service providers so that it is implemented immediately.
He remarked that in our country, assemblies do enact laws for the welfare and protection of citizen rights without their further implementations.
Special Assistant to Chief Minister on Minorities and Interfaith Harmony, Khatoo Mal Jeevan said that Sindh Assembly had the honour of exceptional record of legislation for marginalised communities.
However, implementation phase of these laws remained weak and unnecessary impediments were created by bureaucracy and particular mind sets for their personal gains that harmed the country.
Khatoo Mal said that population ratio of senior citizens was high in Tharparkar district and recommended construction of shelter homes.
MQM Pakistan MPA Syed Sardar Ahmed lauded the social welfare department’s efforts, adding, that department had taken timely and much needed steps in its efforts for solution of issues of senior citizens.
He suggested lessening gap between intelligentsia for resolving the issues of elderly persons. Health insurance policy should be introduced for senior citizens on priority, he suggested.
Minister for Social Welfare, Shamim Mumtaz while addressing the concluding session said that department was taking practical steps for the welfare of senior citizens and shelter homes were being established at district level throughout province.
She informed that under construction shelter home for senior citizens in New Karachi will be completed soon.
She said that due to prolonged delay in census, we were unaware of authentic data of population of senior citizens.
To overcome this , She said that department decided to conduct survey to ascertain the correct data of senior citizens in province, adding that it would be started from district Larkana and completed before the upcoming census announced by federal government.
Earlier, Help Age International Country Director, Ajeeba Aslam said that senior citizens were playing key role in economic developments around the world; however, senior citizens had no active contribution in our country’s economy, particularly of Sindh’s.
She said that social security was the responsibility of incumbent governments and suggested to launch programme for senior citizens on the lines of BISP and youth development programs.
Social Welfare Department Secretary, Dr Shireen Mustafa Narijo gave detailed briefing on the Sindh Senior Citizens Act, 2014.
Among others, officials of finance, health, law, home, transport, food and agriculture, transport, zakat and usher, planning and development departments, representatives of civil society and media persons also attended the workshop.
