PUNJAB SENIOR CITIZENS WELFARE ACT 2026

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THE PUNJAB SENIOR CITIZENS WELFARE ACT 2026 
(XI of 2026) 
CONTENTS 
1. Short title, extent and commencement 
2. Definitions 
3. Establishment of Council 
4. Composition of the Council 
5. Powers and functions of Council 
6. Meetings of the Council 
7. Director General 
8. Delegation of powers 
9. Appointment of officers and staff of the Council 
10. Appointment by transfer 
11. Fund 
12. Bank Accounts 
13. Accounts 
14. Budget 
15. Audit 
16. Annual report 
17. Powers of the Government to issue directions 
18. Powers to make rules 
19. Powers to frame regulations 
20. Removal of difficulties 
21. Indemnity 
 
 
 
TEXT 
1
THE PUNJAB SENIOR CITIZENS WELFARE ACT 2026 
(XI of 2026) 
[25 February 2026] 
An 
Act 
to provide for the well-being, comfort and dignity of the senior citizens residing in the 
Punjab. 
It is necessary to provide for the well -being, comfort and dignity of the senior citizens 
residing in the Punjab and for the matters connected therewith and ancillary thereto. 
It is hereby enacted by Provincial Assembly of the Punjab as follows: 
1. Short title, extent and commencement .– (1) This Act may be cited as the 
Punjab Senior Citizens Welfare Act 2026. 
(2) It extends to whole of the Punjab. 
(3) It shall come into force at once. 
2. Definitions.– In the Act: 
(a) “Act” means the Punjab Senior Citizens Welfare Act 2026; 
(b) “Council” m eans the Punjab Senior Citizens  Welfare Council established 
under the Act; 
(c) “Fund” means the Punjab Senior Citizens Welfare Fund established under 
the Act; 
(d) “Government” means Government of the Punjab; 
(e) “indigent” means a senior citizen who is frail, sickly, or with a disability, and 
without pension or permanent source of income, compensation of financial 
assistance from his rela tives or from any other source to support his basic 
needs; 
(f) “Member” means a Member of the Council; 
(g) “prescribed” means prescribed by the rules or the regulations made or 
framed under the Act; 
(h) “regulations” means the regulations framed under the Act; 
(i) “rules” means the rules made under the Act; 
(j) “senior citizen” means an elderly person who has attained seventy years of 
age or more and is residing in the Punjab; 
(k) “welfare” includes all services relating to  social, economic, b oarding and 
lodging needs of the senior citizens, as well as, their legal protection; and 
(l) “welfare packages or grants ” means welfare and social security packages 
or grants announced for welfare of the senior citizens. 
 
                                                   
1This Act was passed by Provincial Assembly of the Punjab on 04 February 2026; and was assented to by Governor of the Punjab on 
25 February 2026; and was published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 25 February 2026, pp. 4523-4529. 
3. Establishment of Council.– (1) The Government shall, by notification in the 
official Gazette, establish a Council to be known as the Punjab Senior Citizens Welfare 
Council. 
(2) The Council shall be  a body corporate having perpetual succession and 
common seal and may enter into contract s, acquire, purchase, rent out, hold, transfer or 
dispose of its moveable and immoveable property, and may by its name sue or be sued. 
(3) The head office of the Council shall be at Lahore ; however, the Council 
may establish its sub-offices, on need basis, anywhere in the Punjab. 
4. Composition of the Council.– (1) The Council shall consist of: 
(a) Minister for Social Welfare. Chairperson 
(b) Secretary to the Government, Social 
Welfare and Bait-ul-Maal Department. 
Vice Chairperson/ 
Member 
(c) Secretary to the Government, Specialized 
Healthcare and Medical Education 
Department or his nominee not below the 
rank of an Additional Secretary. 
Member 
(d) Secretary to the Government, Primary 
and Secondary Healthcare Department or 
his nominee not below the rank of an 
Additional Secretary. 
Member 
(e) Secretary to the Government, Home 
Department or his nominee not below the 
rank of an Additional Secretary. 
Member 
(f) Secretary to the Government, Finance 
Department or his nominee not below the 
rank of an Additional Secretary. 
Member 
(g) Secretary to the Government, Local 
Government and Community 
Development Department or his nominee 
not below the rank of an Additional 
Secretary. 
Member 
(h) Secretary to the Government, Housing, 
Urban Development and P ublic Health 
Engineering Department or his nominee 
not below the rank of an Additional 
Secretary. 
Member 
(i) Secretary to the Government, P lanning 
and Development Department or his 
nominee not below the rank of an 
Additional Secretary. 
Member 
(j) Chief Executive Officer, Punjab Social 
Protection Authority. 
Member 
(k) three members of Provincial Assembly  of 
the Punjab including one female  member 
of the Assembly. 
Members 
(l) four philanthropists, including two women, 
from amongst the non -governmental 
organizations and civil societies , to be 
nominated by S ocial Welfare and Bait -ul-
Maal Department. 
Members 
(m) Director General, Social Welfare and Bait-
Ul-Maal Department. 
Member/Secretary 
(2) The Council shall have the powers to co -opt a person having expertise in 
the relevant field for its assistance and advice on  the matter under consideration but 
such co-opted person shall not have any right to vote. 
(3) The Members at clause (k) shall be nominated by the Chief Minister  and 
they shall serve  during the pleasure of the Chief Minister or during their tenure as 
members of Provincial Assembly of the Punjab. 
(4) The Members at clause (l) shall be nominated for a period of three years 
which may be extended only once for another term of three years , and they shall serve  
during the pleasure of the Chief Minister. 
(5) A Member at clause (k) or (l) may resign fr om his office at any time by 
tendering his resignation, in writing, to the Council.  
(6) In case a ny casual vacancy occurs, it shall be filled in  within sixty days of 
occurrence of such vacancy and the person nominated against su ch vacancy shall hold 
office for the un-expired period of the term of his predecessor. 
(7) The Chairperson and Members shall serve the Council pro bono. 
5. Powers and functions of Council.– (1) The Council shall exercise such powers 
and perform such functions, as may be necessary for carrying out the purpose of the  
Act. 
(2) Notwithstanding the generality of subsection (1), the Council shall: 
(a) conduct research and compile data on various aspects of ag eing for the 
well-being of the senior citizens and indigents;  
(b) formulate policy proposals on the senior citizens and indigents in light of 
national and international commitments on the welfare of the senior 
citizens and submit these proposals to the Department concerned for 
approval; 
(c) propose and submit plan of action on ageing for approval  by the 
Department concerned; 
(d) arrange workshops to educate senior citizens about life changes required 
for a healthy and satisfying old age; 
(e) undertake social, economic and other welfare activities in collaboration with 
public and private sectors for the welfare of the senior citizens; 
(f) create awareness among  the public for the purposes of the Act by 
organizing seminars, workshops, conferences and use of mass media; 
(g) mobilize for financial resources for welfare and rights of the senior citizens; 
(h) co-ordinate with Government, non -governmental and international social 
and welfare organizations at national and international level to take steps 
for the welfare of the senior citizens; 
(i) frame regulations for functioning of the Council including the regulations for 
appointment of different categories of employees under its administrative 
control; 
(j) publish reports and other material for guidance and welfare of the senior 
citizens; 
(k) make efforts  for grant of the senior citizens awards in the fields of their 
expertise; 
(l) establish senior citizens old -age homes to accommodate the homeless, 
deserted and indigent senior citizens  and ensure provision of necessary 
help; 
(m) find solutions for various matters relating to the senior citizens including but 
not limited to provision of financial assistance to the indigents; 
(n) coordinate with the concerned Department for provision of free medical 
treatment, geriatric care and other f acilities in Government hospitals to the 
deserving senior citizens; 
(o) coordinate with the concerned Department for introduction of geriatric as a 
subject in the medical colleges; 
(p) coordinate with relevant bar councils for provision of free legal aid to the 
deserving senior citizens depending on the nature of the case; 
(q) promote rights of the senior citizens  on social media, print media and 
electronic media; 
(r) coordinate with concerned Departments for provision of free of charge 
entry to public museums, libraries, parks to the senior citizens; 
(s) coordinate for: 
(i) provision of separate counters for the senior citizens; 
(ii) facilitation in transport; 
(iii) provision of ramps in public areas; 
(t) coordinate with the organizations working for welfare of the senior citizens; 
(u) prepare plans for raising funds for welfare of the senior citizens; 
(v) promote welfare associations and establish a toll -free helpline for the 
guidance and assistance, facilitation and grievances handling of the senior 
citizens; and 
(w) take any other measure that may provide relief and benefit to the senior 
citizens. 
(3) The Council may constitute, from time to time, such number of committees 
as it may deem necessary , and such committees shall perform such functions and have 
such powers under the Act as may be assigned to them by the Council. 
6. Meetings of the Council .– (1) The Council shall meet at least quarterly at such 
time and place and observe such procedure with regard to transaction of its business 
and meetings as may be prescribed by the  regulations, and until so prescribed as the 
Council may determine. 
(2) The meetings of the Council shall be presided over by the Chairperson or, 
in his absence, by  the Vice Chairperson and in  absence of both, by a Member 
nominated by the Chairperson, if so no t possible then by the Member so elected by the 
Members present. 
(3) One-third of the total Members shall constitute the quorum for a meeting of 
the Council. 
(4) The Secretary of the Council, on the direction of the Chairperson or on a 
requisition moved by not les s than one-half of the total Members, shall call a meeting of 
the Council.  
(5) Subject to the quorum, the decisions of the Council shall be taken by 
majority of the Members present and voting , and in the event of equality of votes, the 
person presiding over the meeting, shall have a casting vote. 
(6) The Secretary of the Council shall maintain a complete record of the 
minutes of the meeting and the decisions of the Council. 
(7) No act, decision, order or proceedings of the Council or a committee 
constituted by the Council shall be invalid by reason of any vacancy or defect in the 
constitution of the Council or committee, as the case may be. 
7. Director General .– (1) The Secretary of the Council shall also be the  Director 
General and administrative head of the Council and shall: 
(a) be the principal accounting officer of the Council; 
(b) keep in custody the records and seal of the Council; 
(c) authorize payments of monthly salaries, honoraria and allowances to the 
employees of the Council; 
(d) prepare annual budget estimates and supplementary budget estimates of 
the Council and place the same before the Council for approval; 
(e) be responsible for the maintenance and development of all ancillary 
services and procurements; 
(f) approve payment of bills under any head of the budget of the Council; 
(g) authenticate orders, decisions or other instruments of the Council by his 
signature; 
(h) take steps for the implementation of the decisions of the Council; 
(i) receive and send all the correspondence of the Council; and 
(j) execute deeds and documents on behalf of the Council. 
(2) The Director General may, with the approval of the Council, delegate any of 
his powers to any other officer of the Council. 
(3) The Director General shall be answerable to the Council for administrative, 
financial and other actions undertaken by him under the Act. 
(4) The Director General shall perform his duties pro bono under the Act. 
8. Delegation of powers .– The Council may, subject to such conditions and 
limitations as it may determine, delegate any of its powers or functions to its 
Chairperson, Director General, or a committee constituted by it, except the powers to: 
(a) frame, amend or repeal regulations; 
(b) approve policy decisions, guidelines or procedures for the operation of the 
Fund; 
(c) determine the terms and conditions of service o f the employees of the 
Council; 
(d) constitute committees; 
(e) approve the annual budget, audited accounts and annual reports of the  
Council; and 
(f) consider audit reports of the Council. 
9. Appointment of officers and staff of the Council .– (1) The Council may 
appoint such officers, employees, experts, advisers, consultants, members of staff and 
other persons as it considers necessary for the efficient performance of its functions on 
such terms and conditions and in such manner as the Council may prescribe, and until 
so prescribed as determined by the Council. 
(2) The officers, employees, experts, advisers, consultants, members of staff 
and other persons appointed by the Council shall not be civil servants within the meaning 
of the Punjab Civil Servants Act, 1974 (VIII of 1974). 
(3) The officers, employees, experts, advisers, consultants, members of staff 
and other persons appointed by the Council, Chairperson and Members when acting or 
purporting to act under any of the provisions of the Act or rules made thereunder shall be 
deemed to be public servants within the meaning of section 21 of the Pakistan Penal 
Code, 1860 (XLV of 1860).  
10. Appointment by transfer .– (1) The Government may transfer  and post  the 
services of a Government employee of the Social Welfare and Bait -ul-Maal Department 
to the Council on such terms and conditions as approved by the Council which shall not 
be less favourable than those admissible to him immediately before his transfer to the 
Council. 
(2) An employee transferred and posted under subsection (1) shall continue to 
be an employee of the Government and liable to be transferred back as and when 
required by the Government. 
11. Fund.– (1) There shall be a Fund of the Council to be known as the Punjab 
Senior Citizens Welfare Fund which shall vest in the Council and utilized by the Council 
for the performance of its functions under the  Act in such manner as may be prescribed 
by the regulations. 
(2) The Fund shall consist of: 
(a) funds provided by the Government; 
(b) grants received from the Government; 
(c) grants received from any other authority or agency; 
(d) donations made to the Council  by the domestic, provincial or national 
organization; 
(e) donations made by the international organization  subject to approval of the 
Government;  
(f) all such sums of money as may be determined from time to time by the 
Government; and 
(g) all other sums received by the Council. 
12. Bank Accounts.– The Council may open and maintain its bank accounts at such 
scheduled bank as may be prescribed by the regulations. 
13. Accounts.– The Council shall maintain proper accounts and other relevant 
records and prepare annual statement of accounts relating to its financial affairs 
including its income and expenditure as per requirements of international financial 
reporting standards in such form and manner as may be prescribed. 
14. Budget.– (1) The Secretary of the Council shall prepare, in such manner and at 
such time as may be prescribed, a budget in respect of the financial year next ensuing , 
showing the estimated receipts and expenditure of the Council and shall submit the 
same to the Council for approval.  
 (2) The expenditure which has not been approved in the budget shall not be 
incurred without prior approval of the Council.  
 (3) The Council may empower its Secretary to re -appropriate funds from one 
head to another as may be prescribed. 
15. Audit.– (1) The accounts of the Council shall be audited by the Auditor -General 
of Pakistan.  
(2) Subject to subsection (1), the Council may cause its accounts to be audited 
by a registered chartered accountant firm.  
(3) Subject to the Act, the auditor shall submit annual or any special audit 
report to the Council and the Council, shall take corrective measures in light of such 
audit report, if any. 
16. Annual report.– (1) The Council shall, within four months of the end of a financial 
year, submit its  annual performance report to Provincial Assembly of the Punjab with 
approval of the Government. 
(2) The report shall consist of: 
(a) the statement of accounts and audit reports of the Council; 
(b) all activities, targets achieved, fut ure plans, works done under the  Act and 
proposed activities; and  
(c) such other facts as may be ancillary to the above. 
17. Powers of the  Government to issue directions.– The Government may, from 
time to time, issue such directions to the Council as it may deem suitable and the same 
shall be binding on the Council. 
18. Powers to make rules .– The Government may, by notification in official Gazette, 
make rules for carrying out the purposes of the Act. 
19. Powers to frame regulations .– The Council may , in consultation with Social 
Welfare and Bait -ul-Maal Department of the Government  and by notification in official 
Gazette, frame regulations for carrying out the purposes of the Act. 
20. Removal of difficulties.– If any difficulty arises in giving effect to any provision of 
the Act, Government may make such orders, not inconsi stent with the provisions of the  
Act, as may be necessary to remove such difficulty. 
21. Indemnity.– No suit or  prosecution or other legal proceedings shall lie against 
any person for anything done or intended to be done, in good faith, under the Act. 
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