Project praised for promoting role & rights of senior citizens

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Higher Education Meena Khan and Religious and Minority Affairs Minister Adnan Qadri on Tuesday commended the Sarhad Rural Support Programme (SRSP) and HelpAge International (HAI) for executing a project that promoted the role, rights of senior citizens, enhancing social cohesion, respect for diversity and peace.

They were speaking at a function organised to mark the closing and achievements of the project implemented by the SRSP in collaboration with HelpAge International (HAI).

The project closing ceremony was aimed at highlighting the project’s accomplishments to key stakeholders and communities.Member Provincial Assembly Abdul Ghani, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Khyber Haseebur Rehman, and others were present on the occasion along with representatives from various line departments, community members, and senior management from SRSP and HAI.

The minister said such initiatives were important for sustainable development in the region.The project titled “Promotion of Peace and Development Initiatives in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa” was funded by BMZ through HelpAge Deutschland, and implemented by SRSP and HAI in Khyber district. It spanned 3.5 years, commencing in January 2021 and concluding in April 2024.

Officials said that the project focused on aging disability and employed SRSP’s social mobilization and community institution-building approach.The approach promoted the role and rights of senior citizens and enhanced social cohesion, respect for diversity and peace in target communities, they said, adding, its main components were social mobilization, enhancing livelihood opportunities, and engaging youth.

Throughout its duration, they said, the initiative facilitated the establishment and empowerment of 65 senior citizen committees, fostering their connectivity with relevant line deparments.

Under the project, they added, livelihood support was extended to over 1000 individuals, equipping them with the necessary skills and tools for sustainable employment.Additionally, they said, four sports grounds and 14 reading spaces were established, providing avenues for local youth to participate in constructive activities.

SRSP Chief Operating Officer Syed Aftab Ahmad welcomed the participants and explained the ceremony’s objectives.He thanked the Khyber district administration, line departments, and other stakeholders, for their support for the successful implementation of the project.The community members, on the occasion, expressed support for such initiatives to ensure long-term development.