Senior Citizens and their Rights
The latest episode of Jarga Maraka (debate and counsel) discussed equal citizenry for senior citizens and their constitutional rights.
The guest on the show, Mr. Abdul Ghafoor, Director Social Welfare Department Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, noted that the department is trying to improve shelter homes accompanied with effective implementation of 2014 Act for senior citizens.He added that there are about 2.8 million senior citizens in the province. Anyone the age of 60 is considered a senior citizen in our country.
According to 2014 Act of KP Government, our senior citizens are entitled to enjoy certain concessions and privileges in our society. Even though our culture endorses respect for the elderly however, when it comes to their rights they are commonly overlooked. He elaborated that the Social Welfare Department has connected all such rights to the issuance of a special card bearing a logo for senior citizens which unfortunately has not been issued since the past five years. Our people need to have an understanding of the concept before such cards are issued in order to give proper rights and concessions to senior citizens who have spent their lives for the state, family and society.
The second guest on the show Mr. Hamza Jahangir suggested that after reaching the age of 60 and above ID cards should be issued for life. Health facilities and financial support must be made accessible for such senior citizens.
A field-based report by Mr. Gul Hussain highlighted the concerns of senior citizens in the merged tribal districts.
The second report by Ms. Asma Gul shared the details of the 2014 Act for senior citizens and its implementation.
A total of four calls were received during the show.
About Sabawoon :
Sabawoon airs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) since 2011. It began as a counter-radicalization, strategic communications program, designed to highlight and promote the fundamental governance values such as democracy, rule of law, women’s rights, and equal citizenry, social cohesion.
The show airs Tuesday through Thursday every week under four themes on FM-101.5 Peshawar and Dera Ismail Khan 711 kHz from 3:20 PM to 4:00 PM.
On Tuesday, Jarga Maraka covers current affairs and important regional issues with input from government and other senior officials. Jawandai Jazbey airs on Wednesday and deals with issues of relevance to, and significance for, youth, and students. Socio-cultural affairs and issues of women are discussed in Ranra on Thursday.