The National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) has called for the immediate implementation of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Senior Citizens Act, 2014. Provincial authorities, public hospitals, and district administrations received a formal letter from the commission regarding the matter.
The NCHR contacted the Secretary Health, Secretary Social Welfare, Medical Teaching Institutions, and all Deputy Commissioners across the province. Specific demands include creating separate queues, preferential treatment, geriatric care facilities, and dedicated facilitation desks in government hospitals.
Rizwan Ullah Shah stated the commission acted on concerns from civil society organisations and older people, specifically the Senior Citizens Forum Peshawar. "The Senior Citizens Forum Peshawar has brought serious concerns regarding healthcare access, welfare services and non-implementation of the law to our attention," Shah said.
The commission also urged the Social Welfare Department to reactivate the Provincial Senior Citizens Welfare Council and operationalise the Senior Citizens Welfare Fund. Further requests from the NCHR include expediting the issuance of senior citizen cards to the public.
Qamar Naseem welcomed the intervention and praised the proactive role of the commission. "NCHR’s engagement with provincial departments, public hospitals and district administrations is a significant step towards ensuring that the rights guaranteed under the Senior Citizens Act are translated into practical action," Naseem said.
Naseem added that human rights institutions must hold duty bearers responsible for legal obligations, noting that older women require particular attention in policy and accountability mechanisms.
