Senior citizens in capital to get 25% discounts on services under new bill

NA committee approves Islamabad Senior Citizenship Bill 2025, offering discount on range of govt and private services

The National Assembly Standing Committee on Interior on Tuesday approved the Islamabad Senior Citizenship Bill 2025, aimed at providing benefits to the capital’s elderly population. Under the legislation, senior citizens will be entitled to a 25 per cent discount on a range of government and private services, the Associated Press of Pakistan reported.

The bill, presented by MNA Sharmila Farooqi, allows senior citizens aged 60 and above to receive special facilities and discounts based on their National Identity Cards (NIC), removing the need for a separate senior citizen card.

MNA Nabeel Gabol suggested consulting the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) as in some cases fingerprints of citizens over 60 may not be clear. Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry stressed that the initiative should not be limited to Islamabad and should be implemented nationwide if deemed beneficial.

Meanwhile, discussions on the Pakistan Citizenship Bill 2025 proved more complex. The committee, chaired by Raja Khurram Nawaz at the Parliament House, deferred the bill and sought input from relevant authorities after detailed deliberations.

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Lawmakers and officials debated citizenship status, identification cards, and deadlines for individuals who migrated from former East Pakistan after 1971. Chaudhry stated that the bill must ultimately be passed by the National Assembly and its final decision rests with Pakistan’s political leadership. “All political parties need to sit together and reach a consensus,” he said.

Committee member Qadir Patel noted that migration into Pakistan continues even today, making citizenship matters highly sensitive. He highlighted that this is not just a historical issue but one that affects real families living in the country today. MNA Khawaja Izharul Hassan pointed out that the third generation of migrants from former East Pakistan has now reached adulthood, yet many still face obstacles in obtaining NICs.

The director general of passports briefed the committee, explaining that registration of Bengalis who supported Pakistan during the 1971 conflict was carried out through NADRA. However, migration continued even after December 16, 1971. He stressed the urgent need for a clear deadline to determine eligibility for citizenship.

Chairman Nawaz raised concerns about resolving long-standing cases of individuals without identity cards. Minister Chaudhry reiterated the need for political consensus and inclusive decision-making, stressing that these issues involve real families whose lives have been shaped by historical events.

The meeting also touched upon procedural questions regarding identifying those without NICs and ensuring that the citizenship process is transparent and fair.