AsiaNet-Pakistan Premier Editorial Content and Press Release Distribution Service
Islamabad, October 01, 2012 (PPI-OT): Pakistan joins the world community today in observing the International Day of Older Persons. The day highlights the rights of older persons and our obligations at individual and collective levels to make sure that those rights are fulfilled. The theme for 2012 commemoration is “Longevity: Shaping the Future”, which emphasizes the need for benefiting from the experience and wisdom of the old generation in shaping our future.
Senior citizens are repository of experience, knowledge and wisdom as they have been through thick and thin in life.
Islam enjoins its followers to show utmost respect and reverence for the older persons. It gives a special place to them and makes the fulfillment of their rights obligatory upon them.
The young generation can benefit from the experience of the older generation on how to cope with the challenges of life. They are our best support and a great source of encouragement when our chips are down and we are in need of solace. They are our great friends when we need someone to listen to us and express our feelings and they connect us to our religious, cultural and social values and traditions.
We live in a society, which accords the highest respect to the senior citizens and holds them in high esteem. The norms of respect and reverence for older people have held ground despite socio- cultural blizzards that have swept the globe.
Media, religious scholars, and educational institutions have a huge responsibility on their shoulders to sensitize the young generation about the rights and privileges of the senior citizens. The best way to pay tributes to our older generation is to keep them engaged.
Let them not feel irrelevant. Let them feel that they are part and parcel of our lives, On this day, let us pledge to work for wellbeing of the elderly. The government, on its part, would continue to engage with all stakeholders in formulating policies aimed at improving the lot of our senior citizens.
For more information, contact:
Haji Ahmed Malik
Principal Information Officer
Press Information Department (PID)
Tel: +9251 925 2323 and +9251 925 2324
Fax: +9251 925 2325 and +9251 925 2326
Email: piopid@gmail.com