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Dream come true: Transgender community celebrates CNICs, voter registration
At least 21 votes were registered and 25 NICs were issued to members of the transgender community in Rawalpindi.
Voter registration and issuance of CNICs of transgenders begin all over Punjab. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
The transgender community in Punjab saw new hope on Wednesday as their voter registration began, and Computerised National Identity Cards (NIC) were issued by National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra), reported Express News.
Express News correspondent from Rawalpindi, Qaiser Sherazi, reported that Nadra was initially charging Rs1,000 to issue the ID cards to which the transgenders started protesting.
The protests led to the cancellation of the fees, and the transgenders celebrated by chanting slogans in the favour of Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry.
At least 21 votes were registered and 25 NICs were issued to members of the transgender community in Rawalpindi.
The issues regarding the gender and paternity to be mentioned on the CNICs have also been resolved. The cards will now bear the father’s name of the transgenders and their gender will be termed as “female”, which is in contradiction with Nadra’s earlier announcement of providing a “third gender”.
The Nadra spokesman had said in a statement that as per the Supreme Court’s instructions, third genders can have male transgender, female transgender or “Khunsa-e-mushkil” written on their ID card as per their own will.
Last year, the Supreme Court directed the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to enlist transgenders as part of the voters list by contacting them.
After the court’s verdict, Shahana Abbas Shani, President of She-male Association, announced that she will contest elections as an independent candidate for Muzaffargarh PP-254 constituency of provincial assembly.
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Well, that’s a good news! :)
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If they are also allah’s creation whom should they marry A) a man B) a woman C) another transgender
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Great step by the chief justice.the transgenders have always faced horrific discrimination in our society.they were not treated as humans,were given an inferior status of second class citizens.what sick people we are that we denied this community National identity cards just because they are different from us.thy couldn’t vote,couldn’t get passports made,couldn’t open bank accounts without their CNIC’s .we cry al the time that the americans and europeans mistreat us when we go their countries but what about the horrible way we’ve been mistreating the transgenders all our lives?
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The best story I ever read so far in ET. Good going PAK.
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That’s one good step.
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One step forward to inculcating a sense in the masses that they’re Humans too. And we should stop making fun of their identity. They’ve got one heck of a genetic make-up and can add to the welfare of the state as well as the nation given the right to be recognized and not looked down upon.
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do u smell tht ppl? tht smell in the air? thts the true smell of change inthe air! for some it might be a joke…but this is the first step towards having a tolersble and moderate pakistan!
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Oh boy…
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This is great news..
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Let us salute the Chief Justice for the good he has done to the downtrodden …
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About time and a good start.
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Congratulations !!! Best of luck.Recommend
Hello brothers and sisters. I living in the USA and every time i hear stories like these and than look at the comments, where majority of you guys are cheering it on….I love it. Love the fact that majority of the PAkistani people are moderate, want to see Pakistan succeed, nationally and internationally. Keep hoping, living and above all fight for ones you can’t. And then watch Pakistan becoming the ideology Jinnah wanted it to see one day. Love all, hate none. Congrats to Pakistani people.
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For once I don’t feel ashamed to say that I’m a Pakistani. Alright transgenders! Reclaim your rightful place in the society! Woohoo!
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@faisal khan:
you don’t need to cry on anymore instead you should be cheerful on something good being happening in our society. Peace and equality for everyone.
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great!
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He is probably the best Chief Justice this country has ever had…good going CJ!!Recommend
pakistan zindabad
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A small step in right direction!!!!Recommend
so when r u throwing celebration party ET?
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I love Pakistan – Pakistan zindabad, first step toward a better lige of transcenders
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a very welcome step, great going CJ! We all love you!
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A very welcome step,
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Why are they naming them females? They have their own identity. But a great step to start seeing and making Pakistan Differently.
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Now there will be three lines at polling stations. Men, women and both.
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