Governor Sindh Dr Ishrat ul Ebad Khan has accorded assent to the Senior Citizens Welfare Bill 2014. After the signatures of the Governor, it has become the Senior Citizens Welfare Act 2014 and would apply to whole of Sindh and come into force at once.
A statement here on Wednesday said that according to the Act a Council for welfare of senior citizens would be established headed by Minister Social Welfare Department. Two members of Sindh Assembly, Secretary Finance, Secretary Health, Secretary Local Government, Secretary Transport, Secretary Food and Agricultural, Secretary Zakat and Ushr, two representatives from amongst well known NGOs (one from social welfare and one from Human Rights sectors), two senior citizens from civil society (one retired civil servant, and one businessman), one retired sessions judge or additional sessions judge would be the members of the Council and Secretary Social Welfare would act as member/secretary of the Council.
Its head office would be in Karachi with district wise offices.
The Council would formulate policies for the welfare and improving the well being of senior citizen. It would also issue senior citizens card (Azadi Card) to them. It would also build lodging establishments and homes for senior citizens and would ensure their participation in related fields. It would provide 25 percent concession at all private hospitals, medical centres and clinics, 50 percent concession in fares in road transport and 25 percent discount on purchase of goods, drugs, medicines, and essential commodities for his personal use of senior citizens. It would also ensure 25 percent discount on recreation centres, cinemas, theatres, visiting places including hotels, motels, resorts, restaurants, food points and lodging establishments and would provide free services for funeral and burial on death of senior citizen.