Ageing with dignity

As Pakistan observed the International Day of Older Persons on Oct 1, 2026, the occasion without doubt prompted more than ceremonial statements. It invited a serious national conversation about what it means to grow old with dignity in a country where families, communities and public institutions are all under increasing pressure. Older persons are too often discussed as dependent relatives rather than citizens. Yet ageing is not a social problem to be managed; it is a stage of life that demands rights, respect and appropriate public support. A lot of older Pakistanis remain active in family life, agriculture, business, community work and voluntary service. Their experience and knowledge are assets that society cannot afford to disregard. The theme of ageing also forces us to confront an uncomfortable reality: traditional family support systems are changing. Urbanization, migration, economic pressures and smaller households can make it all the time more difficult for families to provide the care that previous generations may have taken for granted. At the same time, Pakistan’s social protection, healthcare and elder-care systems remain in short supply for the needs of a growing ageing population. Healthcare deserves particular attention. Older people often require continuous treatment for chronic conditions, rehabilitation, assistive devices and medicines. Access to such care can be especially difficult for people living in rural areas or those dependent on limited household incomes. A health system that focuses overwhelmingly on acute illness cannot adequately respond to the realities of ageing. The challenge is not simply to build more institutions for elderly people. It is to create communities in which older people can remain connected, independent and involved for as long as possible. Age-friendly public spaces, accessible transport, social activities, community health services and protection against financial abuse can make a significant difference. There is also a gender dimension. Older women, for the most part widows and women without independent sources of income, can face compounded economic and social vulnerability. Any national approach to ageing must therefore consider the different circumstances of men and women and ensure that social protection reaches those most at risk. Pakistan also needs to think more carefully about pensions and income security. For workers outside formal employment, old age can mean a sudden loss of earning capacity without a reliable safety net. Expanding contributory and non-contributory social protection, while improving awareness of existing programs, would help reduce the insecurity that accompanies old age for many households. But government cannot carry this responsibility alone. Families remain central to the wellbeing of older people, while communities, charities and faith-based organizations have long played important roles in providing support. The objective should be to strengthen these networks rather than replace them. Perhaps most importantly, society needs to reconsider the language it uses about ageing. Older people are not merely recipients of care. They are parents, grandparents, workers, teachers, neighbors and citizens. Their participation in public and community life should be encouraged rather than quietly assumed to have ended. The International Day of Older Persons is therefore an opportunity to look beyond a single day of recognition. Pakistan needs reliable data on its ageing population, stronger social protection, accessible healthcare and policies that allow older citizens to live safely and independently. How a society treats its older people says much about the value it places on human dignity. As Pakistan prepares for the demographic changes ahead, ageing should not be regarded as a distant concern. It is a question of social policy today–and, ultimately, a question about the kind of society in which all of us hope to grow old.

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As Pakistan observed the International Day of Older Persons on Oct 1, 2026, the occasion without doubt prompted more than ceremonial statements. It invited a serious national conversation about what it means to grow old with dignity in a country where families, communities and public institutions are all under increasing pressure. Older persons are too often discussed as dependent relatives rather than citizens. Yet ageing is not a social problem to be managed; it is a stage of life that demands rights, respect and appropriate public support. A lot of older Pakistanis remain active in family life, agriculture, business, community work and voluntary service. Their experience and knowledge are assets that society cannot afford to disregard. The theme of ageing also forces us to confront an uncomfortable reality: traditional family support systems are changing. Urbanization, migration, economic pressures and smaller households can make it all the time more difficult for families to provide the care that previous generations may have taken for granted. At the same time, Pakistan’s social protection, healthcare and elder-care systems remain in short supply for the needs of a growing ageing population. Healthcare deserves particular attention. Older people often require continuous treatment for chronic conditions, rehabilitation, assistive devices and medicines. Access to such care can be especially difficult for people living in rural areas or those dependent on limited household incomes. A health system that focuses overwhelmingly on acute illness cannot adequately respond to the realities of ageing. The challenge is not simply to build more institutions for elderly people. It is to create communities in which older people can remain connected, independent and involved for as long as possible. Age-friendly public spaces, accessible transport, social activities, community health services and protection against financial abuse can make a significant difference. There is also a gender dimension. Older women, for the most part widows and women without independent sources of income, can face compounded economic and social vulnerability. Any national approach to ageing must therefore consider the different circumstances of men and women and ensure that social protection reaches those most at risk. Pakistan also needs to think more carefully about pensions and income security. For workers outside formal employment, old age can mean a sudden loss of earning capacity without a reliable safety net. Expanding contributory and non-contributory social protection, while improving awareness of existing programs, would help reduce the insecurity that accompanies old age for many households. But government cannot carry this responsibility alone. Families remain central to the wellbeing of older people, while communities, charities and faith-based organizations have long played important roles in providing support. The objective should be to strengthen these networks rather than replace them. Perhaps most importantly, society needs to reconsider the language it uses about ageing. Older people are not merely recipients of care. They are parents, grandparents, workers, teachers, neighbors and citizens. Their participation in public and community life should be encouraged rather than quietly assumed to have ended. The International Day of Older Persons is therefore an opportunity to look beyond a single day of recognition. Pakistan needs reliable data on its ageing population, stronger social protection, accessible healthcare and policies that allow older citizens to live safely and independently. How a society treats its older people says much about the value it places on human dignity. As Pakistan prepares for the demographic changes ahead, ageing should not be regarded as a distant concern. It is a question of social policy today–and, ultimately, a question about the kind of society in which all of us hope to grow old.

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