It is heartening to learn that at least 20,000 people held a signature campaign in Rahim Yar Khan on January 8, in support of Senior Citizen Bill which has been awaiting approval of Punjab Assembly since 2007. It is a matter of immense concern that a local NGO also joined the noble cause. It may be mentioned here that in all developed countries of the world special bills have been approved by the legislature to provide incentives to the senior citizen. Senior citizens deserve incentives in their life such as health, food, travelling, housing, entertainment and welfare.
The senior citizens have spent their prime age in service of the country, in different capacities but at old age when they are in need of help from the state they are left to the mercy of society, where they pass a miserable life. It is shocking that Senior Citizen Bill is awaiting approval of Punjab Assembly since 2007. The Punjab Government did not make any effort to get it approved. Further the legislators in Punjab Assembly did not bother to consider this a valuable bill. In case this bill was related to Members of Punjab Assembly it would have been approved and implemented long ago.
The Speaker Punjab Assembly and Chief Minister Punjab are requested to accord special consideration to this bill and get it approved from Assembly for the benefit of deserving senior citizen. Similar bills may also be considered for other provinces. The senior citizen would pray for them and the prosperity of the country.
DR BASHIR MAHMOOD BHATTI,
Rawalpindi, January 9.