Sindh Senior Citizen Card is an initiative by the Sindh government. The initiative was initially introduced in December 2024 when the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) cooperated with the Social Welfare Department of Sindh.
Why Sindh Senior Citizen Card?
According to the report of Arab News in 2024, the major purpose of the Sindh Senior Citizen Card was to provide better health and travel facilities to citizens aged 60 or above.
Earlier, in 2021, the Sindh High Court ordered the provincial government to provide “Azadi Card” to senior citizens to facilitate them regarding their health, travel and other social security needs. At that time, the Senior Citizen Card was known as “Azadi Card.”
In December 2024, NADRA confirmed that the authority, in collaboration with the Social Welfare Department, Sindh, will provide the Sindh Senior Citizen Card to 3.7 million citizens aged 60 or above across the province.
Availability of Sindh Senior Citizen Card
However, there are no details available on the Social Welfare Department’s website regarding the provision of the Sindh Senior Citizen Card for more than 1 year.
Similarly, the opposition party – Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) in Sindh questioned the non-existence of the card. Member of the Sindh Assembly from MQM, Dr Abdul Basit, raised questions on the Sindh Senior Citizen Card during his speech in the provincial assembly.
MPA raised questions on Sindh Senior Citizen Card
He said while addressing the Sindh Assembly that “last year, the CM Sindh and Minister of the Social Welfare Department announced the Sindh Senior Citizen Card, but till now, not a single individual has received a card.”
“Free treatment is a constitutional right of every citizen; then why is the Sindh Senior Citizen Card necessary?” MPA Abdul Basit asked a question while addressing the Sindh Assembly.
