By Asim Hussain
ISLAMABAD: Participants at the Event on Policy Analysis and Advocacy, organized by the Secretariat of the Older People Rights Network (OPRN) in collaboration with HelpAge International, have issued an urgent call for the finalization of the Rules of Business (ROBs) and the allocation of appropriate funds for implementing the Islamabad Capital Territory Senior Citizen Act, 2021.
Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) emphasized the need for immediate government action to address gaps and inadequacies in services available for older people in Islamabad, highlighting that the existing provisions are either missing or unsatisfactory, said a press release.
Pakistan, the fifth most populous country globally, has over 11.6 million people aged sixty and above, making up 7% of its population.
This number is projected to rise to 43.3 million by 2050. Recognizing this demographic shift, the Islamabad Capital Territory Senior Citizen Act was enacted in 2021.
The Older People Rights Network (OPRN), Islamabad, is a coalition of over 15 civil society organizations dedicated to advocating for the rights of older people and persons with disabilities. Established in December 2023 and supported by HelpAge International, the network serves as a platform for dialogue, collaboration, and policy advocacy. It involves stakeholders such as ministries, parliamentarians, district administrations, senior citizen groups, media, and the public on issues related to ageing, senior citizens’ rights, needs, challenges, and contributions.
The event brought together OPRN members and senior citizens to review and evaluate current policies and laws affecting older people in Pakistan, identify deficiencies in the current system, and formulate actionable recommendations for policy advocacy and future initiatives.
The event was chaired by Jehan Ara Moeen, a senior citizen, activist, and former PTV newscaster. In her opening remarks, Moeen stressed the importance of protecting the rights of older people, citing the lack of awareness, implementation of laws, and proper monitoring as significant issues contributing to the severe problems faced by senior citizens. She shared her observations on the dire conditions of women in shelter homes, where the absence of SOPs, monitoring and regulatory mechanisms exacerbates their plight. She welcomed the mandate and plans of OPRN to protect the rights of senior citizens in ICT.
OPRN Coordinator and Senior Program Manager at LRF, Tahir Hasnain Shah presented the overall objective and agenda of the Event. Maryam Ihsan from the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) delivered a detailed presentation on current policies and laws related to older people in Pakistan.
Mr. Tayyab Ali Awan, Advocate from the Kashmir Development Foundation (KDF), followed with a presentation on the salient features of the ICT Senior Citizens Act, 2021.
Technical Officer Tanzila Sidique from HelpAge International provided insights into the current status of implementation of the ICT Senior Citizen Act, highlighting gaps and areas for improvement.
The Event’s second session featured an analysis of the Federal Budget 2024-2025: Provisions for Older People, presented by the OPRN Coordinator, who discussed the budget’s impact on senior citizens. Haroon Rasheed from REDO Foundation presented the services available for older people in Islamabad, which were found to be lacking or inadequate.
The final session, moderated by the OPRN Coordinator, focused on drafting policy recommendations for future advocacy and lobbying. The participants emphasized the need for the government to urgently finalize the ROBs of the ICT Senior Citizen Act, 2021, and allocate appropriate funds to ensure the law’s implementation.
The event concluded with a unanimous call for immediate government action to address these critical issues and improve the welfare of older people in Islamabad.
The Event was attended OPRN Members and Senior Citizens including by Dr. Sabiha Syed, Ex-officio, UNESCO; Ms. Khalida Zia, Safeguarding Specialist, VSO; Haroon Rasheed, REDO Foundation; Maqsooda Solangi, Aurat Foundation; Sidra Tehseen, Women Welfare Association; Hamid Khan, Help in Need; Raja Imran, SPRING Association; Tayyab Ali Awan Advocate; Dil Nasheen, PJN; colleagues from HelpAge International Syed Sajjad Hussain, Muhammad Bilal, Tanzila Sidique, and others.
