Sindh High Court gives priority to senior citizens, widows and orphan cases | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

Pakistan Press Foundation

Sindh High Court gives priority to senior citizens, widows and orphan cases

KARACHI: Sindh High Court Chief Justice Mushir Alam has ordered that cases which were filed by senior citizens, widows and orphans, must be given priority by judges across the province.

“Preference must be given to the cases of senior citizens, those over the age of 65, widows, who have not re-married, and orphans, who have lost both the parents.” This was stated in a circular issued by the court’s registrar office. Alam said that for fast track cases, they should move an application, which would be heard in court and decided. “The roster shall fix such cases on a weekly basis once the case is given priority.” He added that the file cover of such cases should be given a different colour, preferably ‘red’ to attract the attention of the judges.

Protecting their rights

A bill to protect the rights of senior citizens will be presented in the Sindh Assembly. This was said by the chief minister’s special assistant, Sharmila Faruqui, at a seminar launching Help Age International’s report ‘Ageing in the 21st century: A celebration and a challenge’ in collaboration with the United International Population Fund (UNFPA) on Monday. “Special desks should be established in government hospitals, railway station and bus terminals to serve people who are more than 60 years old,” Faruqui said.

The Help Age International country director, Ajeeba Aslam, said that according to the institute’s report, there were over 10 million people over the age of 60 in Pakistan currently and this number will rise to 43.3 million by 2050. “Measures must be taken at all levels to protect the rights of senior citizens,” said Aslam. She added that we need to start investing in the older population through increased employment and pensions.

The Express Tribune