Pakistan Citizen Welfare Council will be established for senior citizen: Hoti
By Hina Kiyani

ISLAMABAD—Federal Minister for Social Welfare and Special Education, Sahibzada Khawaja Muhammad Khan Hoti has said that the Ministry proposed, “Pakistan Citizen Welfare Council” under the administrative control of the Ministry of Social Welfare and Special Education for the safeguard of senior citizen rights.
He said this while chairing a high level meeting regarding on draft Pakistan Senior Citizen Bill, 2008, which has been drafted by M/O Social Welfare and Special Education.
As mentioned above, a meeting was held to discuss the proposed bill 2008 for senior citizen. During the meeting, the proposed bill was discussed thoroughly and they agreed to establish a council namely “Pakistan Senior Citizen Welfare Council” which will be an independent body who will take care the rights of senior citizens whose age of 60 years and above. It is further stated in the proposed bill 2008 that various facilities will be provided to the senior citizens of Pakistan like, free medical treatment, concession in utility bills and last but not the least in traveling.
While describing the structure of the proposed council, it was said that the council shall be formulated policies for the welfare of aged population of Pakistan. It is further stated in the proposed bill that the proposed council will be comprising of senior officers from the concerned Federal Ministries and Social Welfare Departments and as well representatives from senior citizens. The Minister underlined the need to make strategy to attract donors for funding the proposed council for senior citizens.
The Meeting was attended by the Secretary, M/O Social Welfare and Special Education, Mr. G.M. Sikandar, Mr. Jalil Minhas, Director General Mr. Ghulam Nabi Mangro, Joint Secretary, M/O Water & Power, Mr. Muhammad Arshad Sultan, Deputy Director, M/O Local Government & Rural Development, Abdul Waheed Siddiqui, Additional Secretary, M/O Social Welfare and Special Education, Mr. Noor ullah, Additional Secretary, Zakat & Ushr & Social Welfare Department and Mr. Qurban Ali Memon, Director General, Provincial Coordinator for Social Welfare.