In Umerkot District alone, more than 25,000 profiles of senior citizens have repeatedly been collected by the Social Welfare Department over the years. Similar exercises have been carried out across Sindh since 2017. Yet, in many communities, elderly citizens continue asking a simple question: what happens after the documentation is collected?

This question should not be interpreted as criticism of the Social Welfare Department. Rather, it reflects a broader governance challenge that affects many public welfare initiatives in Pakistan. Too often, administrative energy is spent each year on collecting data, while insufficient attention is given to converting data into services. Once a year, they issue letters to subordinates to collect the profiles of senior citizens. Beyond that, there is no backup, no science, no strategy, and no funds available to provide them with relief or compensation.

The idea behind the Freedom Card is really good. It aims to provide concessions and benefits to senior citizens, including discounts on public transport, healthcare services, railway tickets, bus fares, and access to various government facilities. Such support can significantly improve the quality of life for elderly citizens who have spent their lives serving their families, communities, and the nation.

From the villages of Umerkot and........

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