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                        <title>The Express Tribune</title>
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                        <description>The Express Tribune keeps you up to date with all the latest happenings from Pakistan and across the world!</description>
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			<title>Living in filth &amp; fear</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2549930/living-in-filth-fear</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2549930/living-in-filth-fear#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 07 Jun 25 08:30:23 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Asif Mahmood]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category><category><![CDATA[T-Magazine]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[With education &amp; employment still a challenge, the transgender community struggles to access safe housing]]>
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				<![CDATA[In Pakistan, the transgender community has long struggled for recognition, protection and fundamental human rights, including the right to identification, education, employment, and housing. However, till date, non-binary people remain deprived of dignified living.

All across the country, the transgender community is often viewed with an eye of suspicion. While some associate them with immoral or obscene activities others accuse them of indulging in sex work. Thanks to such prejudices, transgender persons seeking access to safe housing are either openly denied by landlords or are given living spaces under extremely strict conditions, including exorbitant rents.

Although the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2018 claims to grant equal rights to transgender people, the reality on the ground is quite the opposite. With a poor implementation of laws, police indifference and difficulties in accessing the justice system deprive transgender people of their legal rights especially in cases where they are evicted or harassed by tenants and neighbours. The majority have no effective means of legal redress.

According to the United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner (OHCHR) the transgender community in Pakistan faces widespread discrimination and stigma in accessing housing, health, education, employment, and even bathroom facilities. This is largely attributed to a lack of recognition of their gender identity.

Culture of exclusion

Even today, the transgender community continues to be the butt of jokes in comedy shows, stage performances and even colloquial humour. While outwardly appearing harmless, such demeaning attitudes inform ideas which not only seek to objectify and otherize non-binary people but also serve to covertly justify their mistreatment.

Such mistreatment is one major reason why many transgender persons struggle to access safe and affordable housing across the country. Take the case of Khushboo, a transwoman from Lahore, who had hoped to find a place of her own. &ldquo;I was able to get a flat on rent in Model Town. After presenting multiple references and agreeing to pay double the rent, my partner and I moved to our new home. However, our peaceful days did not last long since the neighbours made our life miserable. They used to forbid their children, especially girls, from talking to us while hurling inappropriate words. Eventually, I had to leave the flat and move in with my guru again,&rdquo; shared Khushboo.

Similarly, Aleena Ahmed, a transwoman from Karachi, revealed that since childhood she had been subjected to persistent bullying and ridicule, which forced her to leave her home and start living in a communal arrangement with other transgender people. &ldquo;When we want to rent a flat, landlords in decent residential areas are often reluctant since they fear damage to their reputation. Even if a landlord agrees to rent out a flat, neighbours often start spreading negative rumours about us. As a result, many transgender people are forced to live in slums,&rdquo; lamented Aleena, who further revealed that she and her friends paid a monthly rent of Rs6,000 for a makeshift house in a slum.

Sundri Begum, the leader of a transgender community in Karachi, stressed on the need for the government to provide decent housing arrangements for transgender people. &ldquo;Even in low-income areas like Mehmoodabad, Akhtar Colony, the slums of Clifton, and Shireen Jinnah Colony, transgender people often face difficulties in finding individual housing hence they live together in rented houses, flats, or portions. Even when they do find a place, they are charged double the normal rent,&rdquo; claimed Sundri, whose group pays Rs25,000 per month for a two-room portion.

&ldquo;In some cases, landlords deliberately charge higher rents to trans persons. Even if a transgender person succeeds in settling in an area, other residents object to their presence. They are harassed, or put under moral pressure to leave the area. Sometimes, such behaviour takes the form of violence or collective social boycotts,&rdquo; added Zanaya Chaudhary, a trans rights activist from Lahore.

Up north in Peshawar, Mahi Gul, a transwoman confirmed the discriminatory rentals many landlords demanded from trans tenants. &ldquo;A house rented to locals for Rs10,000 is not available to trans persons for less than Rs30,000. Transgender people invest heavily in decorating their homes, including installing cupboards, woodwork, and even makeup rooms. With Rs30,000 going in rent, apart from electricity and gas bills, and other expenses, how are we supposed to survive?&rdquo; questioned Gul.

Manzoor, a property dealer from the inner-city of Peshawar revealed that due to the recent economic downturn, property business had declined. &ldquo;With Afghan refugees returning to their homeland, there is little business hence we now rely on commissions from transgender clients to sustain our livelihoods. It is true that we charge transgender people double the rent because local residents object to us renting homes to them. Therefore, we often rent out houses under our own CNICs, which helps us earn higher commissions,&rdquo; confessed Manzoor.

Similarly, a property agent operating in Liaquatabad told The Express Tribune that renting out houses or apartments to members of the transgender community was challenging primarily due to objections and complaints made from neighbours. &ldquo;In addition, transgender citizens often lack identification documents, making police verification difficult,&rdquo; noted the agent.

Identification, education and employment

While demeaning attitudes can partly explain complications in accessing safe housing, the broader issue of the transgender community&rsquo;s social exclusion has its roots in the difficulties associated with obtaining legal identification documents, education and employment.

During various discussions with trans persons across the country, the correspondents reported that many members of the otherized gender did not even possess their national identity cards let alone other legal documents required for renting out a house. Due to the lack of necessary documentation for tenancy agreements or electricity and gas connections, many faced difficulties in getting accommodation.

Furthermore, even when some trans persons were able to obtain their CNIC&rsquo;s, many avoided identifying their gender as &ldquo;X&rdquo; on their ID cards, mainly out of fear, family pressure and social stigma. In an extreme incident, a transwoman from Charsadda was murdered by her family after she added the &ldquo;X&rdquo; gender on her CNIC.

Reflecting on such hazards, a transwoman who moved from Karachi to Peshawar revealed that her parents allowed her to perform at functions and even live separately. However, when it came to mentioning &ldquo;X&rdquo; as my gender on my CNIC, my family openly refused since they feared people would label me as a &#39;Hijra&#39;. Therefore, I could not get my ID card. If I obtain the card, I lose my family; if I don&rsquo;t, the government refuses to offer me any support,&rdquo; she regretted.

Seconding the plight of trans persons, Mahi Gul, who resides in a rented house in Peshawar&rsquo;s inner-city, recalled her experience with house hunting, societal attitudes, and property owners. &ldquo;Every human seeks peace, and for that, one needs a small, private home. With that thought, I rented a house. However, 90 per cent of transgender people don&#39;t have the &ldquo;X&rdquo; category CNIC reserved for the transgender community. As a result, they either have to use their guru&rsquo;s name or rely on a third party to rent a house,&rdquo; explained Gul.

Expanding on the problem, Zanaya Chaudhary felt that lack of access to good education and stable employment also prevented many trans persons from renting out decent living spaces. &ldquo;Most transgender people are unable to earn a stable income due to a lack of education, employment, and skills. Due to financial constraints, they cannot afford living in safe apartments,&rdquo; said Chaudhary, who herself never faced any difficulty renting out an apartment since due to her education, her lifestyle and speech were different from most transwomen.

Sania Abbasi, a transwoman working as a beautician also supported Chaudhary&#39;s point. &ldquo;The majority of trans people have trouble getting a single flat or house on rent due to their lifestyle and habits. Since I work as a beautician, I have not faced much trouble finding decent accommodation,&rdquo; shared Abbasi, who has been living in a single flat in a posh area in Lahore since many years.

Concurring with Abbasi, Dr Nasreen Aslam Shah, Former Professor at the University of Karachi&#39;s Department of Social Work, maintained that although the transgender community was a part of society, they often lacked jobs or skills, forcing many to beg. &ldquo;Therefore, the government should initiate housing and welfare programs to address their issues,&rdquo; said Dr Shah.

Between disease and death

As a result of their systemic exclusion, the marginalization facing the transgender community can quickly escalate from a simple refusal of housing to an outright threat of violence, forcing many to live their lives in filth and fear.

The Express Tribune spoke to various property dealers across three areas of Peshawar where the transgender community is concentrated. Areas like Dilzak Road, Gulbahar, and Yakatoot have around 20 plazas where transgender individuals live in shared rooms, paying rent between Rs10,000 to Rs15,000 for a single room.

A transgender resident of one such plaza, revealed on the condition of anonymity, that the majority of living spaces occupied by the transgender community were dirty, unhygienic, and violated basic health standards. &quot;These crowded and dark spaces contribute to the spread of serious illnesses such as Hepatitis, AIDS, and tuberculosis,&rdquo; revealed the resident.

According to Farzana Khan, President of the Transgender Association K-P, only six to 10 per cent of the transgender community live alone in a rented house, with the majority living in groups of six to eight in one rental home. &ldquo;Transgender individuals are not even provided assistance when it comes to registering a rental house. Landlords only agree to rent out a place if they are offered triple the regular rent. In rural areas, if a transgender person tries to rent a house, the entire village and local council (panchayat) intervenes. If they do not vacate immediately, they receive death threats. Hence, transgender people are compelled to live in rented houses or plazas within city limits,&rdquo; explained Jan.

While unsafe living arrangements risk turning into the hotbeds of disease, an alarming culture of targeted violence against the transgender community only adds to their marginalization. For instance, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa has recorded the highest number of transgender killings in the country over the past few years. According to the Transgender Association of K-P, 126 transgender individuals have been murdered in the province over the past five years, while more than a thousand others have been victims of gun violence. Unfortunately, none of the perpetrators have received a major punishment.

K-P&rsquo;s Minister for Social Welfare, Qasim Ali Shah, conceded that the demands of the transgender community were valid. &ldquo;Unless transgender individuals are officially registered, it would be difficult to allocate quotas and provide funds to them in the same way as other communities,&rdquo; said Shah, while speaking of K-P, where only 163 trans persons are registered.

According to information obtained by The Express Tribune, during the past 13 years of PTI&#39;s government, very few of the promises made to the transgender community including provisions for a separate hospital ward and beds, an endowment fund and special desks at police stations were fulfilled. Hence, the transgender community in K-P feels alienated not only by society but also by the government and has announced a sit-in protest in front of the KP Assembly in the coming days.

On the other hand, the Punjab government has started the Apni Chhat Apna Ghar Program, under which citizens are being given loans of up to Rs1.5 million to build a house. This loan will have to be repaid in five to seven years. &ldquo;Any citizen of Punjab, including transgender persons, can take a loan to build their own house under this scheme,&rdquo; said a spokesperson for the Punjab Housing and Town Planning Agency.

Similarly, Advisor to the Chief Minister of Sindh, Waqar Mehdi, assured that the government was working to resolve the problems facing the transgender community.]]>
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			<title>A home for the marginalised</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2530284/a-home-for-the-marginalised</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2530284/a-home-for-the-marginalised#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 22 Feb 25 20:32:04 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Sarfaraz Memon]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category><category><![CDATA[T-Magazine]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2530284</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[A shelter home for transgender people promises to improve their lives through integration initiatives]]>
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				<![CDATA[In a society where transgender individuals often face discrimination, marginalisation and limited opportunities, the work of activists and non-governmental organisations is crucial to change the narrative and create a more inclusive and equitable future. Through advocacy, skill development programs, and shelter initiatives, they aim to provide marginalised individuals with the opportunities and support they need to lead dignified lives.

One of them is Sardara, a highly qualified transgender activist who works as a manager with the UNDP HIV programme. She has also long been working with the Sanam Fakir Social Welfare Organisation in Sukkur, which is dedicated to the welfare and rights of the marginalised and vulnerable communities, with a special focus on the transgender community.

A graduate of Karachi University, Sardara also holds a four-year diploma in textile designing from Karachi School of Arts. However, nothing came easy to her. She faced discrimination due to her identity, especially during the years while she was studying. Her personal hardship motivated her to take up the fight for transgender rights and to raise her voice for the urgent need to eliminate the stigma faced by transgender individuals.



Sardara believes that the transgender community can contribute positively to society if it is provided with the right opportunities and skills. Members of her community have as much right to a respectable life in mainstream society as do men and women, she said. &ldquo;It is my dream to pull the transgender community out of [demeaning work] like begging and prostitution,&rdquo; she told The Express Tribune. &ldquo;This is not what we should be doing. We must rise above all this filth and march towards a better and respectable future.&rdquo; This is the mission of the Sanam Fakir Social Welfare Organisation. It aims &ldquo;to improve the lives of transgender individuals, ensuring they live with dignity, respect, and equality,&rdquo; she said.

Amma Jamila is over 90 years old and has been teaching the Holy Quran to little girls and boys for 60 odd years. &ldquo;Transgender people are also the creation of God,&rdquo; she said, &ldquo;therefore, they should be treated respectfully.&rdquo; Expressing displeasure over the transgender people who are engaged in begging and in wrong practices, she said, they must realise that God created them like they are, therefore they should not indulge in demeaning acts that are sinful.

Sardara shared that improving future prospects for members of her community is an uphill battle. &ldquo;We tried our best to provide a respectable and better place for the transgender, but so far our efforts haven&rsquo;t borne fruits as desired,&rdquo; said the transgender activist.

She urged for more government action without which this cannot be possible. &ldquo;The Sindh government should implement its education policy without further delay,&rdquo; she said. Projects should be allocated to the transgender-led organisations that exist at the provincial level, rather than others, in order to ensure empowerment of the transgender community.



An upcoming project of the Sanam Fakir organisation is the establishment of a shelter home for elderly and young transgender individuals. Sardara said, &ldquo;Transgender people often face discrimination, marginalisation, and social isolation, particularly as they become older or when they are striving hard to find their identity.&rdquo; The shelter will offer a safe, peaceful, and secure environment for the young and old members of the transgender community, one where they can live without fear of discrimination or violence. &ldquo;We have developed a detailed future plan that focuses on initiatives aimed at improving the lives of both elderly and young transgender individuals, providing them with the support and opportunities they need to thrive.&rdquo;

The shelter will provide comprehensive medical and mental health care, with particular attention to the needs of both elderly and youth transgender individuals. This will include regular health check-ups, therapy, and gender-affirming healthcare, where necessary. Social programs to foster connection and community will include group activities, creative arts, meditation, and fitness programs to combat loneliness and encourage engagement. This will be equally beneficial in developing a sense of belonging.

Founder of the welfare organisation and member of the Sukkur Municipal Corporation, Sanam Fakir, said, &ldquo;We will work to reconnect transgender individuals with their families, if possible, or assist in establishing supportive relationships within the community. Additionally, we will advocate for the social rights of transgender individuals within society.&rdquo;

The organisation plans to launch a digital skills training program to empower transgender individuals to participate actively in the digital world. This program aims to equip both the young and old with the required tools for personal growth and employment opportunities in the digital space.

Those who wish to advance their skills further, specialised skills training in areas such as graphic design, social media management, web development and digital marketing will be made available.



Acquiring these professional skills will open up opportunities for freelance work, remote employment, or business ventures, helping transgender individuals achieve financial independence and empowerment.

&ldquo;After completing the training program, the organisation will provide job placement assistance to help participants secure positions in tech-related fields, such as IT support, content creation, and digital marketing,&rdquo; Sanam shared. Additionally, transgender individuals will receive guidance for starting and managing small businesses, especially in the digital domain, to ensure long-term financial stability. 

The Sanam Fakir Social Welfare Organisation continues to raise awareness and promote understanding about the rights and needs of transgender individuals through advocacy and outreach programs. These programs will challenge misconceptions about transgender persons and encourage inclusion. &ldquo;Our organisation will work with legal experts to ensure [safeguarding] the rights of transgender individuals, particularly the elderly and youth, are protected. We will advocate for laws and policies that ensure equal access to healthcare, housing, and social services for the transgender community,&rdquo; said Sanam.

Amma Jamila urged upon the transgender community to join hands with Sanam and Sardara in accomplishing the desired goal. She also hoped the government would implement laws about transgender individuals in letter and spirit so that they too can lead a respectable life. With hope for the future of transgender people, she said, &quot;I am optimistic and pray that the young and energetic transgender like Sanam and Sardara will become successful in their noble mission.&rdquo;

Through her relentless efforts, Sardara continues to pave the way for a more inclusive and empowered transgender community in Sindh. Sardara&rsquo;s extensive experience in both research and healthcare reflects in her dedication to improving the lives of marginalised communities, particularly transgender.

&ldquo;Our advocacy and community integration efforts will ensure that no transgender individual, regardless of age, is left behind in society,&rdquo; said Sanam. &ldquo;Taking these steps, we can help transform the lives of transgender individuals, whether elderly or youth, and ensure they are not only surviving but thriving in their communities,&rdquo; she added.

&nbsp;

Sarfaraz Memon is a freelance journalist and contributor based in Sukkur. 

All facts and information are the responsibility of the writer

&nbsp;]]>
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			<title>Olympic drama: Italy’s Carini tearfully quits bout in just 46 seconds</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2484769/olympic-drama-italys-carini-tearfully-quits-bout-in-just-46-seconds</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2484769/olympic-drama-italys-carini-tearfully-quits-bout-in-just-46-seconds#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 01 Aug 24 13:50:24 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[News Desk]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2484769</guid>
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				<![CDATA[Angela Carini abandons fight against transgender opponent Algerian Imane Khelif after intense punch]]>
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				<![CDATA[Italian boxer Angela Carini tearfully abandoned her Olympic fight against Algerian Imane Khelif just 46 seconds into the bout on Thursday.

The match, held at the North Paris Arena, sparked significant controversy due to Khelif&#39;s previous disqualification from the women&#39;s world championships for failing testosterone and gender eligibility tests. Khelif, along with Lin Yu-ting of Chinese Taipei, was controversially allowed to compete in the Olympics despite these issues.

In a tense scene, Carini explained her decision to withdraw after being struck harder than ever before. A powerful punch from Khelif dislodged Carini&rsquo;s chinstrap, and a subsequent blow left her nose in pain and her shorts bloodied.

&nbsp;&ldquo;I am heartbroken,&rdquo; Carini said. &ldquo;I went to the ring to honour my father. I was told many times that I was a warrior, but I chose to prioritise my health. I have never felt a punch like this.&rdquo;

The 25-year-old from Naples continued, &ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t give up, but the pain was too much. I decided to stop, holding my head high.&rdquo;

Despite her disappointment, Carini emphasised her desire to compete fairly and with dignity. &ldquo;I wanted to face my opponent and fight,&rdquo; she said, &ldquo;regardless of who they were or the controversy surrounding them.&rdquo;

When asked if she should have withdrawn beforehand, Carini stated, &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t give up easily. Even if it had been suggested not to fight, I wouldn&rsquo;t have accepted. I have a warrior&rsquo;s mentality, but the pain was too much this time.&rdquo;

Carini described entering the ring as a victory in itself, regardless of the outcome. She asserted that her decision to stop was not a defeat but a mature choice to preserve her dignity. &ldquo;I was convinced I would win and was focused,&rdquo; she remarked. &ldquo;But the punches hurt, and I said enough.&rdquo;

Carini declined to comment on whether Khelif should have been barred from competing, saying, &ldquo;It&rsquo;s not my place to judge. I did my job.&rdquo;

Khelif, speaking briefly to the BBC, expressed her determination to win gold. &ldquo;I am here for gold,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;I will fight anybody.&rdquo;

The situation drew attention from Reem Alsalem, the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, who expressed concern over the incident. &ldquo;Angela Carini rightly prioritised her physical safety,&rdquo; Alsalem tweeted. &ldquo;She and other female athletes should not be subjected to physical and psychological violence based on their sex.&rdquo;

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also weighed in, stating that athletes with male genetic characteristics should not compete in women&rsquo;s events to ensure fairness. &ldquo;This isn&rsquo;t about discrimination but about competing on equal terms,&rdquo; Meloni said.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) faced criticism for allowing Khelif and Lin to compete. Both had been disqualified from last year&rsquo;s world championships after DNA tests confirmed XY chromosomes, indicative of male characteristics. The International Boxing Association (IBA) criticised the IOC&rsquo;s less stringent rules for the Olympics, raising concerns about competitive fairness and athlete safety.

IOC spokesperson Mark Adams defended the decision, stating, &ldquo;All competitors comply with eligibility rules. This is not a transgender issue.&rdquo;

Australian boxing captain Caitlin Parker also expressed concern, noting the potential dangers of such situations in combat sports. Khelif, meanwhile, claimed she was the victim of a &ldquo;big conspiracy&rdquo; following her previous disqualification.]]>
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			<title>Transgender swimmer Lia Thomas loses legal case over ban</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2471383/transgender-swimmer-lia-thomas-loses-legal-case-over-ban</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2471383/transgender-swimmer-lia-thomas-loses-legal-case-over-ban#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 13 Jun 24 03:27:35 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[AFP]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2471383</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[World Aquatics praised the ruling, calling it ‘a major step forward to protect women's sport’]]>
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				<![CDATA[US transgender swimmer Lia Thomas has had a legal case against World Aquatics dismissed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, swimming&#39;s governing body said on Wednesday.

Thomas was attempting to overturn a World Aquatics (WA) vote in 2022 that stopped transgender women from competing in women&#39;s elite races if they have gone through any stage of the process of male puberty.

The 25-year-old, who in March 22 became the first transgender athlete to win the highest level of NCAA title, attempted to argue the rules were discriminatory.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport panel found that &quot;for the time being&quot; Thomas is not eligible to compete in elite competitions through WA or USA Swimming.

&quot;The Panel notes that the Athlete did not apply for - let alone was granted - the right to participate in &#39;Elite Events&#39; within the meaning of the USA Swimming Policy,&quot; sport&#39;s highest court said in a 24-page verdict seen by AFP.

&quot;She is currently only entitled to compete in USA Swimming events that do not qualify as &#39;Elite Events&#39;,&quot; it added.

Therefore Thomas was &quot;simply not entitled to engage with eligibility to compete in WA competitions&quot; and therefore was &quot;not sufficiently affected&quot; by the rules to be able to challenge them, the court concluded.

World Aquatics praised the ruling, calling it &quot;a major step forward in our efforts to protect women&#39;s sport.&quot;

&quot;World Aquatics is dedicated to fostering an environment that promotes fairness, respect, and equal opportunities for athletes of all genders and we reaffirm this pledge,&quot; the governing body said in a statement.

&quot;Our policies and practices are continuously evaluated to ensure they align with these core values, which led to the introduction of our open category,&quot; it added.

&quot;We remain committed to working collaboratively with all stakeholders to uphold the principles of inclusivity in aquatic sports and remain confident that our gender inclusion policy represents a fair approach.&quot;]]>
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			<title>Police action against transgender dance at fair riles spectators</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2465756/police-action-against-transgender-dance-at-fair-riles-spectators</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2465756/police-action-against-transgender-dance-at-fair-riles-spectators#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 08 May 24 20:03:41 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Abid Malik]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2465756</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Reinforcement sent to rescue two officials taken hostage]]>
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				<![CDATA[&nbsp;

Chaos erupted during a traditional fair after police intervened to halt a dance performance by transgender persons.

According to the First Information Report (FIR) registered by the Lundianwala police, the dance accompanied by lewd songs blaring from a sound system prompted their intervention due to a violation of decency laws.

The incident took place during the Chup Shah Sarkar annual fair in Chak 583GB.

The situation escalated when onlookers attacked the police, resulting in injuries to officials and damage to property.

Officials said the police action was met with fierce resistance from the spectators, culminating in an assault on the personnel.

Jaranwala SP Malik Abid Hussain sent reinforcements to rescue two police officials held captive by the crowd.

The area police registered a case against nine identified and numerous unidentified individuals under various charges, including kidnapping, assault and vandalism.

Despite the police&#39;s assertion of maintaining law and order, some shopkeepers from the fairground came forward with allegations of police misconduct. In a video statement, they accused local officials of extortion and unjust confiscation of goods from their shops during the melee. A shopkeeper said he had incurred significant financial losses due to the police action.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 9th, 2024.]]>
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			<title>Trans persons continue to face ostracisation after death</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2463451/trans-persons-continue-to-face-ostracisation-after-death-1</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2463451/trans-persons-continue-to-face-ostracisation-after-death-1#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 21 Apr 24 20:17:40 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Aihtesham Khan]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Balochistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2463451</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Deceased individuals from the marginalised community are
refused funeral prayers, burial spaces]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Although navigating through the ups and downs of life is always a tremendously thorny ordeal for transgender persons in K-P surviving on the margins of society, their fated struggle for acceptance rarely ends with death.

The transgender community of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), faces the worst form of persecution, with regular instances of target killing claiming the lives of countless trans persons every year. As the community unites in bereaving the ruthless murder of another innocent fellow member, the additional exasperation of locating a cleric and grave for the deceased&rsquo;s funeral proceedings weighs heavily on its nerves.

Last month, the friends of Asma Lata, a Karachi-based trans woman brutally murdered at the Iqbal Plaza in Peshawar, had to face a similar quandary, when they had to wait for seven hours before their beloved friend could finally be laid to rest. After futilely pleading two or three local people to perform the funeral prayers of Asma, they found help in a non-native transgender, associated with religious preaching, who out of courtesy came forward to perform the last rites of the deceased.

This however, can surely not be seen as a lone occurrence since a couple of years ago too, the local imam had openly refused to supervise the funeral and burial proceedings of a transgender who was murdered in a similar case of target killing in Peshawar.

&ldquo;In K-P, immense fortitude is required to bury a fellow transgender friend. We literally have to beg religious leaders and locals to assist us in the funeral prayers and burial. Moreover, finding burial space for a trans person is just as difficult,&rdquo; revealed Arzoo Khan, a trans rights activist and Chairman of the Trans Alliance Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

&ldquo;For Asma&rsquo;s burial, we had to collect a donation worth Rs120,000 before her body could be sent through an ambulance to Karachi for burial. Neither the government nor any private organization helped us in this. Day by day transgender persons are being brutally killed yet no space exists for us to bury them,&rdquo; lamented Arzoo.

&ldquo;The non-availability of space in graveyards is a serious problem plaguing the transgender community. Many areas do not allow us to bury a transgender person due to which we have to bury them covertly in the dark hours of the night,&rdquo; concurred Farzana, President of the Transgender Association.

Voicing Farzana&rsquo;s grievances, Neena, another trans woman felt that most people in society treated the transgender community as aliens from another land. &ldquo;We happily rejoice at celebratory occasions with all people but unfortunately no one in this narrow-minded society is willing to come and wipe our tears when a fellow transgender is murdered,&rdquo; cried Neena.

According to data received by the Express Tribune from the Transgender Association of K-P, 126 transgender persons have been killed during the past five years in the province, while more than a thousand have been injured in various incidents of firing, torture and kidnapping. Furthermore, seven trans women have been killed so far in 2024 alone.

Speaking to the Express Tribune on the persecution of the otherized gender and the challenges of burying the dead bodies of transgender persons in K-P and tribal areas, the Adviser to the Chief Minister on Social Welfare said, &ldquo;We have been instructed by the Chief Minister to work towards upholding the rights of the transgender community. A special ward will be established in the government hospital of each division, where injured transgender persons will be treated under the best medical arrangements. Five kanals of land will be allocated for a graveyard for the transgender community. The government has also approved funding for transgender cemeteries.&rdquo;

Published in The Express Tribune, April 22nd, 2024.]]>
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			<title>Trans persons continue to face ostracisation after death</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2463408/trans-persons-continue-to-face-ostracisation-after-death</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2463408/trans-persons-continue-to-face-ostracisation-after-death#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 21 Apr 24 13:31:19 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Aihtesham Khan]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2463408</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Deceased individuals from the marginalised community are refused funeral prayers, burial spaces]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Although navigating through the ups and downs of life is always a tremendously thorny ordeal for transgender persons in K-P surviving on the margins of society, their fated struggle for acceptance rarely ends with death.

The transgender community of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), faces the worst form of persecution, with regular instances of target killing claiming the lives of countless trans persons every year. As the community unites in bereaving the ruthless murder of another innocent fellow member, the additional exasperation of locating a cleric and grave for the deceased&rsquo;s funeral proceedings weighs heavily on its nerves.

Last month, the friends of Asma Lata, a Karachi-based trans woman brutally murdered at the Iqbal Plaza in Peshawar, had to face a similar quandary, when they had to wait for seven hours before their beloved friend could finally be laid to rest. After futilely pleading two or three local people to perform the funeral prayers of Asma, they found help in a non-native transgender, associated with religious preaching, who out of courtesy came forward to perform the last rites of the deceased.

This however, can surely not be seen as a lone occurrence since a couple of years ago too, the local imam had openly refused to supervise the funeral and burial proceedings of a transgender who was murdered in a similar case of target killing in Peshawar.

&ldquo;In K-P, immense fortitude is required to bury a fellow transgender friend. We literally have to beg religious leaders and locals to assist us in the funeral prayers and burial. Moreover, finding burial space for a trans person is just as difficult,&rdquo; revealed Arzoo Khan, a trans rights activist and Chairman of the Trans Alliance Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

Read also:&nbsp;Transgender education

&ldquo;For Asma&rsquo;s burial, we had to collect a donation worth Rs120,000 before her body could be sent through an ambulance to Karachi for burial. Neither the government nor any private organisation helped us with this. Day by day transgender persons are being brutally killed yet no space exists for us to bury them,&rdquo; lamented Arzoo.

&ldquo;The non-availability of space in graveyards is a serious problem plaguing the transgender community. Many areas do not allow us to bury a transgender person due to which we have to bury them covertly in the dark hours of the night,&rdquo; concurred Farzana, President of the Transgender Association.

Voicing Farzana&rsquo;s grievances, Neena, another trans woman felt that most people in society treated the transgender community as aliens from another land. &ldquo;We happily rejoice at celebratory occasions with all people but unfortunately no one in this narrow-minded society is willing to come and wipe our tears when a fellow transgender is murdered,&rdquo; cried Neena.

According to data received by the Express Tribune from the Transgender Association of K-P, 126 transgender persons have been killed during the past five years in the province, while more than a thousand have been injured in various incidents of firing, torture and kidnapping. Furthermore, seven trans women have been killed so far in 2024 alone.

Speaking to the Express Tribune on the persecution of the otherized gender and the challenges of burying the dead bodies of transgender persons in K-P and tribal areas, the Adviser to the Chief Minister on Social Welfare said, &ldquo;We have been instructed by the Chief Minister to work towards upholding the rights of the transgender community. A special ward will be established in the government hospital of each division, where injured transgender persons will be treated under the best medical arrangements. Five kanals of land will be allocated for a graveyard for the transgender community. The government has also approved funding for transgender cemeteries.&rdquo;]]>
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			<title>Transgender education</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2462026/transgender-education</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2462026/transgender-education#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 07 Apr 24 20:42:52 +0500</pubDate>
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			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2462026</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[It engenders a culture of acceptance and respect for differences]]>
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				<![CDATA[Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz&rsquo;s recent announcement regarding the establishment of a transgender school in every division of the province, alongside directives to provide educational facilities to special children in government schools across each district, reflects a significant step towards fostering inclusivity and equality within the educational landscape. 

The establishment of a transgender school at the division level signifies a commitment to providing specialised educational support tailored to the distinct needs and experiences of transgender students. While it is a commendable interim measure, it is essential to also acknowledge that segregated educational institutions may inadvertently perpetuate social stigmatisation and further marginalise transgender students. Thus, the overarching objective should be to prioritise the seamless integration of transgender individuals into mainstream educational settings. This will not only help foster greater social acceptance but also ensure equitable access to educational opportunities and resources for transgender students. Also, inclusive education yields benefits for all students by fostering diversity, promoting tolerance and nurturing empathy. It engenders a culture of acceptance and respect for differences, thereby equipping young individuals with the tools to become informed and empathetic members of society. This initiative also presents an opportune moment to overhaul educational policies more broadly. Policymakers can enact comprehensive reforms aimed at enhancing inclusivity and accessibility in education.

It is of significance to highlight that nine out of the 11 divisions in Punjab had previously implemented schools tailored specifically to cater to the transgender community under the PTI government. Therefore, it is expected that the new government will continue to build on these efforts rather than prioritising their own promotion. Ultimately, genuine progress lies in fostering educational environments that embrace diversity, celebrate difference and empower students to realise their full potential.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 8th, 2024.

Like Opinion &amp; Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.

&nbsp;]]>
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			<title>Trans community observes ‘Visibility Day’</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2461091/trans-community-observes-visibility-day</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2461091/trans-community-observes-visibility-day#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 30 Mar 24 19:54:40 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2461091</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[The day serves as a platform for transgender community to raise awareness, demand recognition]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The transgender community in the metropolitan city came together on Saturday to celebrate the &lsquo;International Transgender Day of Visibility&rsquo;, advocating for peace in Palestine. The event, themed &lsquo;Celebrating Trans Resilience and Liberation&rsquo;, gathered scores of trans people at a local hotel.

Annually observed on March 31, alongside the &lsquo;Transgender Day of Remembrance&rsquo; on November 20, this day serves as a platform for the transgender community to raise awareness and demand recognition.

&ldquo;This year, we stand in solidarity with the people of Palestine, urging the international community to take decisive actions for peace,&rdquo; stated Kami Sid, a transgender leader and the head of Sub Rang Society.

Explaining the significance of the day, Sid stressed the importance of visibility in advocating for transgender rights. &ldquo;If we don&#39;t step forward and demand recognition, our struggles will remain invisible,&rdquo; Sid added.

Sid highlighted the progress in acknowledging transgender rights but stressed the need for continued awareness, especially in urban centres like Karachi, where misconceptions persist.

While locally in Sindh, trans people are often addressed respectfully as &lsquo;faqeer saen&rsquo;, Sid underscored the importance of broader societal acceptance and understanding.

According to Sid, Karachi is home to over 60,000 trans persons, reflecting the community&#39;s significant presence in the metropolis.

The event drew participation from over a hundred trans persons from various parts of Karachi, reflecting a united call for visibility, recognition, and peace.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 31st, 2024.]]>
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			<title>From the fringe to inclusive growth</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2461108/from-the-fringe-to-inclusive-growth</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2461108/from-the-fringe-to-inclusive-growth#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 30 Mar 24 21:58:07 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Asif Mehmood]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2461108</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[A boarding school for transgenders in Lahore opens its doors, sparking hope and debate among marginalised community]]>
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				<![CDATA[Taking a step forward, a first-ever transgender school and shelter called Tahafuz Darsgah has been established near Wildlife Park Jallo, in Lahore. The unique centre where transgender children will be imparted education from primary to O and A-level, taught various skills, as well as provided free education was recently inaugurated by former Caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi and IG Punjab.

The newly-built three blocks of Tahafuz Darsgah house a school, a vocational centre and a hostel, and is a collaborative effort by the UK Curriculum and Accreditation Body (UKCAB) and the Punjab Police. &ldquo;It is for transgender children who are not accepted by their families,&rdquo; shared Hamza Atiq, representative of UKCAB and coordinator of Tahafuz Darsgah.

&ldquo;There is accommodation available for transgender children up to the age of eighteen,&rdquo; adds Atiq who expects classes to commence in the next few weeks. &ldquo;The faculty include transgender people while transgenders who have been fighting for the welfare of their community for a long time have been enlisted as volunteers. The staff is being trained and work has begun for the registration of students.&rdquo;



While the education centre is being praised by the transgender community, they also have some reservations regarding the disclosure of children&rsquo;s gender. In our social setup, the most difficult task is to get hold of transgender children and convince their parents to enroll their child in this special transgender school, points out Neeli Rana, a Lahore-based transgender guru and rights activist. &ldquo;In our society, parents hide the identity of a child until he reaches adulthood and his gender characteristics and habits become obvious,&rdquo; Rana shares. &ldquo;Even if a family finds out after birth that their child is transgender, they hide the identity for fear of stigma in the family and society. Such children are usually presented as boys.&rdquo;
Rana knows dozens of transgenders presenting themselves as women who have been educated as boys up to matriculation, or higher secondary.

&ldquo;No parents want to let their children leave their home or let them away from themselves,&rdquo; says Rana. &ldquo;If a child has habits and behaviour like a transgender, even then parents try to keep this child with other siblings so that the child can become like them. Parents separate their child from themselves only when he becomes an adult and his habits and nature become clear or the eunuch himself decides to leave the parental home.&rdquo;

On finding the right children and supportive families for Tahafuz Darsgah Rana says, &ldquo;God willing, this project will be successful, but generally, projects supported by foreign funding and NGOs continue only for as long as money is available.&quot;



Project volunteer Zanaya Chaudhry, who serves as a victim support officer in the Punjab Police&#39;s Police Khidmat Markaz, suggested to the organisers that the age limit for students should be raised to above 18 years. She also recommended that a policy should be made to admit older transgender persons as well.

&ldquo;We are looking for transgender children with the help of community members,&rdquo; says Chaudhry. &ldquo;Some families have been contacted and they are being counselled to enroll their children in the school.&rdquo;

Chaudhry who believes that the most important target is the registration of children also suggested that a pick-and-drop facility should be provided for transgender children as the school is built in a far-off area from the city and there is no transgender community in the area. However, the administration believes that since a hostel for children has also been built here, pick and drop will not be an issue.



&ldquo;It will be difficult to accommodate transgender children in hostels,&rdquo; says Nigahen, a transgender. &ldquo;A transgender child living with a guru cannot be admitted to school without the child&rsquo;s consent, as they are reluctant to leave their gurus.&rdquo;

Nighahen said that when a guru takes a eunuch as a disciple, apparently this relationship is called guru-discipleship, which is a strong tradition in their community, behind which there is actual sale and purchase of a human being. &ldquo;The guru buys a young eunuch with a huge sum of money and takes a certain share of the disciple&#39;s earnings,&rdquo; they explain. &ldquo;When a disciple transgender wants to leave their guru, they have to pay back all the money with interest to the guru that was initially spent on his mentoring, accommodation, food and drink. This amount often runs into millions. Without ending this guru-chela [disciple] system, transgender children cannot get freedom.&rdquo;

Some transsexuals say that the name &lsquo;transgender&rsquo; name is also used for fame. It is more likely to earn foreign funding in the name of freedom of the transgender community. They feel that no matter how independent a transgender becomes or is presented as independent, he/she faces difficulties in practical life. People have a certain fixed opinion about them whereby transgender people and their issues are not taken seriously.



Jannat Ali, an artist and eunuch from Lahore, believes that on the one hand, parents do not admit that their child is eunuch, while on the other hand, a eunuch child who lives with his parents does not disclose his gender because he is afraid that if he tells the truth, he will be thrown out of the house and his family will not accept him. Hence, he grows up on lies.

Ali believes that ideally transgender children should study in regular schools and colleges like regular children and should be given separate recognition there. &ldquo;The establishment of a separate school for them is also a good move because it will provide education and skills to transgender persons who up until now have relied on begging, dancing and prostitution,&rdquo; they say. &ldquo;This way they will get better jobs or learn skills and start their own businesses.&rdquo;

However, the claim that Tahafuz Darsgah is the first-ever school for transgender community in Lahore is probably not true. Earlier, schools have been established in different districts of Punjab including Multan, Bahawalpur and Dera Ghazi Khan, including the one established by the Department of School Education Lahore, but unfortunately these schools are not playing as active role as they were expected to. These schools now only have classes spanning two-hours three days a week on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Here transgender persons are given a monthly stipend of Rs10,000, which attracts them to enrolment, attending classes and learning skills.



In 2018, the Exploring Future Foundation (EFF), a non-governmental organisation in Lahore, established the first school for transgender people named The Gender Guardian. &ldquo;All projects for the transgender community are generally funded by the World Bank or foreign NGOs working for the autonomy of the transgender community,&rdquo; shares Asif Shehzad, who heads EFF. At the global level, projects for the empowerment of oppressed groups, including women and transgender people, have gained much traction.

&ldquo;The Punjab government has established schools for transgender people in Lahore and various districts of Punjab under the auspices of the School Education Department,&rdquo; shares Shahzad. &ldquo;The school established in Multan had state-of-the art facilities as well as the provision of transport. However, for some reason the schools have failed to play an active role in empowering the transgender community with education and skills.&rdquo;

Shahzad believes that it is important to understand the psychology of the transgender community. These people cannot come to school for five or six hours every day like regular students. &ldquo;The most difficult task for them is to wake up early in the morning,&rdquo; he says. &ldquo;Even if you start giving monthly stipends to them, they still won&rsquo;t attend school regularly because they earn thousands of rupees per month themselves through singing, dancing and prostitution.&rdquo;

Shahzad explained that for this reason they had adopted a different approach from the traditional method. &ldquo;Instead of teaching them the regular school curriculum, we only teach them Urdu, English and Mathematics,&rdquo; he shares. &ldquo;Besides these basics, they are given courses in sewing, embroidery, cooking, driving, beautification, fashion designing and other skills. They show a keen interest in learning these skills.&rdquo;



Shahzad pointed out that it is unfortunate how in our society the identity of transgender persons is hidden when they are young. &ldquo;Even though parents know about their child&#39;s gender, they shy away from telling as they are afraid of being stigmatised and possibly ostracised,&rdquo; he says. &ldquo;Since they are not sent to school, they miss out on education and then grow up to dance and later to beg on the streets when they are old.&rdquo;

But Atiq believes that the traditional system of guru-disciple among th transgender community cannot be abolished unless they are educated and trained right from their childhood. &ldquo;We will provide a safe environment for these children,&rdquo; he resolves. &ldquo;Those children will be able to get education according to the Oxford syllabus from expert teachers and above all they will get support from Punjab Police. No eunuch guru would dare to make a eunuch child his disciple.&rdquo;

Atiq remains optimistic and reiterates that when these children grow up in a free environment, they will become useful citizens of the society and will be able to play their role in various fields of life according to their abilities.

&nbsp;]]>
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			<title>S Punjab education dept  focuses on transgender empowerment</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2458142/s-punjab-education-dept-focuses-on-transgender-empowerment</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2458142/s-punjab-education-dept-focuses-on-transgender-empowerment#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 02 Mar 24 08:32:47 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2458142</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[This initiative aims to equip them with the necessary skills for employment opportunities in the modern era]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[South Punjab School Education Department ( S E D ) S e c r e t a r y D r Obaidullah Khokhar has emphasised the importance of transgender education in fostering skill development and empowering the community economically and socially.

During his visit to G o v e r n m e n t G i r l s Comprehensive Higher S e c o n d a r y S c h o o l Gulgasht, he highlighted the ongoing efforts of the SED to enhance the quality of education and technical training for transgender individuals. Speaking to the media, Dr Khokhar mentioned that transgender students have been provided with training in various fields such as tailoring, industrial tailoring, beauty parlour skills, marketing, and computer courses through collaboration with UNESCO.

This initiative aims to equip them with the necessary skills for employment opportunities in the modern era. He further stated that over the past six months, transgender students have acquired diverse skills and proudly showcased their handmade items during the exhibition.

The event served as a platform to promote acceptance and appreciation of their efforts among the public. D r K h o k h a r c o m - mended the Principal of Government Girls Comprehensive Higher Secondary School, Zareen Akhtar, for her support in facilitating transgender education. APP]]>
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			<title>Trans transforming young lives</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2456902/trans-transforming-young-lives</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2456902/trans-transforming-young-lives#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 18 Feb 24 21:29:20 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Sameer Mandhro]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2456902</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Kami teaches the art of beautification to young girls from diverse backgrounds in Ibrahim Hyderi]]>
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				<![CDATA[In the labyrinthine alleys of Ibrahim Hyderi, amidst the scent of saltwater and the hum of daily life, a centre radiates hope and transformation. Here, Kamran, affectionately known as Kami, and his friend, Ali, are rewriting the script for the transgender community in the country&#39;s male-dominated society.

At the tender age of 25, Kami stands as a pillar of inspiration at a local centre in Ibrahim Hyderi, a fishing community on the edge of the teeming metropolis of millions of people. Young girls from diverse backgrounds gather to learn the art of beautification, all under Kami&#39;s expert tutelage and free of cost.

For Saima, a 21-year-old student, Kami&#39;s presence not only brings comfort and security but also instills confidence. &quot;The way Kami teaches is amazing,&quot; she shares. &quot;It gives me the assurance that despite the odds, one can develop skills and succeed.&quot;

Born and raised in Ibrahim Hyderi, Kami&#39;s journey to earning respect and dignity has been marked by resilience and determination. In a society where acceptance for the transgender community is often a distant dream, Kami and his peers have defied convention and embraced a path less traveled.

&quot;People love us. They respect us by heart,&quot; Kami affirms with a smile, his eyes glistening with pride. His belief in the power of hard work has propelled him forward, leading him to join the Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF) as an instructor and beautician.

Read:&nbsp;Music, transgender dance banned

For over 15 months, Kami has dedicated himself to empowering the young girls of Ibrahim Hyderi, Bangali Para, and neighbouring areas. Under his guidance, more than a thousand girls have embarked on three to six-month courses, gaining valuable skills that promise a brighter future.

But Kami is not alone in his mission. His friend Ali, aged 33, stands by his side as an instructor for stitching classes at the PFF. Like Kami, Ali exudes dedication and passion, earning the trust and respect of his community through his commitment to excellence.

&quot;At home, I receive the same respect,&quot; Ali shares, his gaze shifting to the attentive students in his class.

In a family of 11, Ali plays a pivotal role in maintaining financial stability, working tirelessly to ensure a comfortable life for his loved ones. Despite the challenges they face, Kami and Ali refuse to succumb to despair. Instead, they embrace every opportunity to uplift themselves and those around them.

Their presence at the centre has not gone unnoticed by the community. Syed Qambar Shah, a resident of Ibrahim Hyderi, acknowledges the profound impact of their appointment. &quot;With the inclusion of transgender individuals at the centre, our community feels a sense of security,&quot; he reflects. For Ferzana, a student of Ali, the centre serves as a beacon of hope for girls from humble backgrounds.

Both Kami and Ali understand the importance of self-reliance and determination. They actively seek opportunities to inspire others, whether through their teaching or their culinary skills. For Kami, teaching at the PFF center is not just a job - it&#39;s an honor. It grants him a sense of identity and belonging, reaffirming his place in society.

In a world where prejudice and discrimination often reign supreme, Kami and Ali stand as symbols of resilience and hope. Through their unwavering commitment to education and empowerment, they are not only transforming lives but also reshaping societal norms. As they continue to pave the way for a more inclusive future, their journey serves as a testament to the power of courage, compassion, and community.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 19th 2024.]]>
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			<title>Parties deny representation to transgender community</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2455052/parties-deny-representation-to-transgender-community</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2455052/parties-deny-representation-to-transgender-community#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 31 Jan 24 18:54:25 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Wisal Yousafzai]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2455052</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Despite their progressive manifestos, no political party has offered a ticket to a candidate of the otherised gender]]>
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				<![CDATA[For a political landscape where elected leaders unabashedly belittle the opposition by taking a pejorative dig at their effete demeanour, gender has emerged as a highly binarised category, with a strict set of attributes and behaviours defining both masculinity and femininity, leaving no room for candidates belonging to the third gender, who in their inability to fit the dual gender identities are strategically excluded by cisnormative parties from participating in the democratic process.

Despite several central leftist political parties upholding the banner of inclusivity in their elaborate manifestos and glib addresses, no party including the Pakistan People&rsquo;s Party (PPP) has been successful in issuing a single ticket among thousands of vacancies for the National and Provincial Assemblies, to a candidate from the marginalised transgender community, which has been consistently denied a chance at representing its grievances at the state level.

&ldquo;No party has given an election ticket to a transgender candidate from any constituency. I was expecting at least the PPP to consider including our community in its party but they too have turned a blind eye,&rdquo; confirmed Shahzadi Rai, a transgender councillor based in Karachi.

The situation was quite similar in Lahore, where Jannat Ali, a transgender activist, challenged the unfair denial of electoral representation by mainstream parties to the transgender community, which was in dire need of delegation.

&ldquo;Only a transgender elective can truly understand the plight of other transgender people in the country. Just the way women, religious minorities and differently-abled individuals are assigned a special quota of seats to ensure their representation, the transgender community too must be accommodated in the electoral process,&rdquo; urged Jannat, who was quick to despondently add that the current electoral system had no room for members of the third gender.

Qamar Naseem, a trans rights activist from Peshawar believed that the denial of electoral representation to the transgender community by political parties in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa reflected a broader socio-political prejudice in society, where despite legal recognition and increasing awareness on the rights of the transgender community, inclusion was still a major challenge.

&ldquo;Our political landscape must actively incorporate the diverse voices of all communities, including the transgender population, in order to ensure equitable representation and policy-making,&rdquo; asserted Naseem.

Read also: Trans people call for voting rights

The reality of the political landscape however, is far removed from Naseem&rsquo;s utopian suggestion, as sources from the Express Tribune and data from the Population and Housing Census of 2017 reveal that for the upcoming General Elections 2024, only five independent candidates from across Pakistan will be representing the country&rsquo;s transgender community, which comprises a sizeable population of 21,774 people.

&ldquo;Parties assign tickets to candidates on the basis of their social standing and influence. Most parties fear that if they issue a ticket to a transgender candidate, either the public will ridicule them or the opposition will mock them. Since our society in general is utterly dismissive of persons with an unconventional gender identity and demeanor, how can we expect political parties and politicians to nurture a different mindset?,&rdquo; questioned Nayab Ali, one of the few independent candidates contesting for the elections from NA-46 and NA-47 in Lahore.

Nayab&rsquo;s assessment of the cisnormative political culture is evident in documented instances of mockery by politicians, who have used transphobic slur to target the opposition leaders. For instance, former Prime Minister Imran Khan and Awami Muslim League leader Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed, have openly taunted PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari by referring to him as &ldquo;sahiba&rdquo; and &ldquo;billo rani&rdquo; during their speeches.

According to Dr Asma Seemi Malik, Head of the Department of Sociology at the Lahore College for Women University, the exhibition of such attitudes towards the transgender community is regrettable to say the least.

&ldquo;The socio-political arena must show sensitivity towards the transgender population. Until or unless they gain acceptance in our society, they would not be able to enter politics and work for the betterment of their community,&rdquo; opined Dr Malik.

Furthermore, what has left most transgender politicians in a quandary is the sheer irreverence with which even the seemingly inclusive parties have disregarded transgender representation.

Read: Trans people say will contest upcoming polls

&ldquo;No party is willing to represent more than one million transgender persons in K-P,&rdquo; lamented Sobia Khan, a trans rights activist from K-P.

The lack of attention given to the safety and wellbeing of transgender persons in K-P is evident in the high rate of crime against the community. As per a report by the Trans Alliance Action, more than 100 transgender persons have been killed across K-P during the past three years but the accused were not convicted due to the weak, discriminatory judicial system.

&ldquo;PTI is the only party which has devised a plan for uplifting the status of the transgender community in K-P,&rdquo; claimed Naseem.

However, Farzana Jan, President of the Transgender Community K-P, was quick to dismiss Naseem&rsquo;s assertion when she confirmed that although the previous PTI government had passed a bill for the rights of the transgender community, it could not be implemented.

&ldquo;Political parties like the PTI, PPP and ANP talk about transgender rights in their manifestos but no action is taken to improve their status or offer them membership,&rdquo; discerned Farzana.

An attempt was made to contact the ANP spokesperson to take their stance on the issue but they were preoccupied with the election campaign and thus could not respond.

Speaking to the Express Tribune on the matter, Taj Haider, in-charge of the PPP&#39;s election cell said,&rdquo; We will take the necessary steps to ensure representation to the transgender community in the National and Provincial assemblies.&rdquo;]]>
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			<title>Transgender trailblazer leads in capital</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2454004/transgender-trailblazer-leads-in-capital</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2454004/transgender-trailblazer-leads-in-capital#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 22 Jan 24 04:17:24 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Rizwan Shehzad  ]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2454004</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Nayyab brings ‘chilli’ revolution to Islamabad, vies for two constituencies]]>
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				<![CDATA[In the otherwise calm and somewhat dull election campaign mode in the capital, a transgender candidate vying for two constituencies in Islamabad briefly stirred the public&rsquo;s poll emotions at Aabpara Market on Sunday evening when a vehicle blaring a catchy Punjabi election anthem brought dancing vibes to the constituents.

Armed with a &lsquo;green chilli&rsquo; as her electoral symbol and a Punjabi campaign anthem reminiscent of Noor Jehan&#39;s robust Punjabi song, Nayyab Ali&rsquo;s campaign has added a much-needed flavourful twist - or a &#39;Nayyab touch&#39; &ndash; to the election drive.

A master&#39;s degree holder in international relations and policy development, the transgender trailblazer is contesting for seats 46 and 47 in the upcoming general election scheduled for February 8.

At a time when the candidates in the capital are mostly relying on banners, posters or stickers pasted on vehicles&rsquo; windows and back screens along with occasional corner meetings and spreading the word via WhatsApp groups, Nayyab has opted for a dynamic approach, combining door-to-door canvassing with music blaring from speakers mounted on a Suzuki cruising through the city to broadcast her message.

While the overall experience has been positive, Nayyab faces challenges amid the prevailing transphobic atmosphere, intensified by recent legislation from certain political parties. The transgender community &ndash; or the &lsquo;hijra&rsquo; or &lsquo;khwaja sira&rsquo; &ndash; often subject to discrimination and ridicule, battles societal perceptions while attempting to participate in the political process.

Read:&nbsp;Unregistered, unheard: elections and transgender exclusion

&ldquo;It&rsquo;s a bit difficult to contest when your security is under question,&rdquo; she said, adding that the constituents have responded differently during the door-to-door campaign.

While some pledged support due to her outreach efforts, others still clung to outdated stereotypes, viewing transgender people as beggars or dancers.

Political extremism, she said, was another factor, as people do not even listen if you are not supporting the party of their choice, let alone standing against it.

Despite the prevailing stigmas and conservative mindset, Nayab hoped that with Islamabad&#39;s impressive 88% literacy rate, the residents of the capital would grasp that she represents not only the transgender community but the entire constituency.

Key components of her manifesto include championing human rights, alleviating poverty, establishing the rule of law, addressing issues in &#39;katchi abadis&#39; around the capital, abolishing the 500% property tax hike, setting up health centres, creating youth hostels, initiating reforms in CDA, MCI, and city administration, implementing a policy guide to eliminate sit-ins, and advocating for the allocation of reserved seats for women, differently-abled, and transgender individuals in Islamabad.Reflecting on the political landscape, Nayyab believed people are disillusioned with traditional parties and are seeking change.

She said the masses were indifferent to whether Imran Khan was in jail, Nawaz Sharif was in exile, or Bhutto was still alive. Their primary concern, she stressed, revolved around having food on their table and ensuring fundamental rights.&ldquo;People are looking for change now.&rdquo;

Her previous stint helped her to come up with different tactics including campaign songs to convince people, she said.

Nayab revealed that she deliberately chose &#39;green chilli&#39; as her electoral symbol because it&#39;s the most basic household item that used to come free with groceries. However, due to inflation caused by the incumbent and previous rulers, it is no longer provided without cost.

Responding to the question of why she was contesting from two constituencies, Nayab explained that she has been actively involved in the community for several years. However, due to the delimitation exercise, certain areas fell within NA-46 and others within NA-47, forcing her to run in both constituencies.

Among other things, she even suggested that &ldquo;Islamabad should have its own government just like Delhi&rdquo;.

Nayab feels that becoming a part of the political system is crucial as only then can one effectively advocate for the rights, saying &ldquo;There is no other way to get your rights.&rdquo;On the possible outcome, she said that democracy is not about winning or losing but about choices people make.]]>
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			<title>Unregistered, unheard: elections and transgender exclusion</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2450962/unregistered-unheard-elections-and-transgender-exclusion</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2450962/unregistered-unheard-elections-and-transgender-exclusion#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 23 Dec 23 19:38:58 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[asad.zia]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2450962</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Not registered with NADRA  poses a barrier for transgender individuals to participate in the electoral process]]>
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				<![CDATA[The busy streets outside Iqbal Plaza on Dalazak Road in Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, witness a daily spectacle. Scores of men, predominantly young, gather on the footpaths, on their motorbikes, and in their parked cars. At the plaza&#39;s entrance, transgender individuals, dressed in female attire and heavy makeup, beckon the onlookers. This carnivalesque scene is routine in these parts. This is life for Naina, a transgender person belonging to the area. 

Poverty confines many transgender individuals to traditional sources of income, such as engaging in sex work or participating in wedding dances. Lack of awareness in this marginalised community curtails any aspirations of rising above their circumstances. For instance, Naina does not know or care who the current chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is. Neither is the right to vote an essential freedom for her to exercise. Naina responds with laughter when asked about the upcoming elections. &quot;What do I have to do with elections? It&#39;s not our business,&quot; she jokes. Her disinterest in politics reflects a broader issue within the transgender community in Pakistan.

The 2017 Population and Housing Census in Pakistan reported a total transgender population of 21,774, with 55.12 per cent residing in urban areas and 44.88 per cent in rural regions. In KP, 1,999 transgender individuals face challenges in society stemming from a lack of National Identity Cards (NICs).

According to TransAction Alliance, the first organisation to represent transgender people in the province, out of 9,000 to 10,000 transgender people residing in KP, only around 400 are registered by NADRA, and even fewer possess NICs. As a result, many are denied the right to government facilities, including healthcare, licences, and the right to vote.

Farzana Jan, president of the TransAction Alliance in KP, said that the absence of NICs poses a significant barrier for transgender individuals in participating in the electoral process. The recent policy changes and a ruling by the Federal Sharia Court, potentially limit their ability to exercise their electoral rights. Jan highlights the lack of awareness among election officials and policymakers about the rights and needs of the transgender community. She stresses the importance of providing an environment free from harassment at polling stations.

According to an official in the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) office in Peshawar Faisal Khan, a very small number of transgender individuals come for registration due to fear. He said that the registration office deals with them on a priority basis. &ldquo;Previously, obtaining an NIC was a difficult process, but now it is easy and simple for them,&rdquo; he said. The NADRA mobile van also visits different parts of the province to provide registration facilities to the marginalized community, he added. 

Yet, several hurdles stand in the way for the transgender community to enter politics. Jan explained that the majority of transgender individuals leave their homes due to the non-acceptance of their families. &ldquo;Their parents have disowned them, and they have rushed to a safe place for their survival. Some [transgedners] I knew received death threats from their own families,&rdquo; Jan said. Fearing the wrath of their families, they are not willing to reveal their real names and identity.

Jan said that the second problem is the community not accepting them. &ldquo;If a transgender wants to contest an election, who will give vote for them? They are not accepted by the community members as a normal person,&rdquo; Jan shared. They are treated no less than animals. &ldquo;People pass negative comments on them and call them very bad names,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;It is impossible at every level for them to take part in politics. This community does not accept transgender individuals, and that&rsquo;s why transgender individuals have zero interest in politics.&rdquo;

Qamar Naseem, a transgender rights activist, points out that although the 2017 Election Commission Act granted transgender individuals the right to vote, their names are registered with their original gender. He underscored the absence of transgender individuals in political parties and the lack of specific quotas for transgender representation in election commission roles. He said that if there was a reserved seat for the transgender community, it would encourage them to take part in political activities.

Muhammad Atif Haleem, the president of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf&#39;s Trade Wing KP, asserts that their party provides equal opportunities for everyone. However, he acknowledges the challenges faced by the transgender community and urged NADRA and the Election Commission to facilitate their registration and provide necessary facilities during elections.

Awami National Party (ANP) District Nazim Saleem Shah said that ANP wanted to give rights to everyone despite gender. He said that the party encourages transgender people to come forward and take part in political activities. He demanded the ECP to do more work to spread awareness of the transgender community so that a maximum number of this community could participate in the upcoming elections.

The ECP has formulated the Gender Mainstreaming and Social Inclusion Framework (GMSIF), covering Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The framework aims to address issues related to voter registration, casting votes, and providing postal ballot facilities to persons with disabilities, as well as transgender individuals.

The Gender and Disability Electoral Working Group, comprising civil society organisations advocating for the rights of women, persons with disabilities, and transgender individuals, regularly collaborates with the election commission. Monthly meetings across the provinces facilitate the discussion of challenges and solutions.

Assistant Director Election Commission of Pakistan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Syed Aun Ahmad said that the election commission conducts gender-sensitive voter information campaigns using various media platforms. He emphasised the importance of accessible polling stations and provided special arrangements for women, persons with disabilities, the elderly, pregnant women, and transgender individuals. With the support of partner organisations, they have arranged awareness sessions in different parts of KP, including the merged districts&rsquo; marginalised communities.

Ahmad said that they are trying their best to motivate a large portion of people in the province regarding the election process and to register their vote. NADRA has arranged camps and its mobile van visits the area to provide registration services. He urged political parties to create awareness regarding the importance of their vote and to motivate them to register with NADRA as soon as possible.]]>
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			<title>Music, transgender dance banned</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2449056/music-transgender-dance-banned</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2449056/music-transgender-dance-banned#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 05 Dec 23 20:31:20 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Balochistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2449056</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Shah asserted that decisive measures would be taken against individuals engaged in drug peddling within the region]]>
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				<![CDATA[In Katlang, Mardan district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, the local Aman committee has enforced a stringent prohibition on dancing and music performances by transgender individuals at marriage ceremonies. 

Salar Syed Kamal Shah Advocate, the head of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Aman Jirga, expressed their commitment to societal reform during a discussion with journalists on Tuesday. 

He declared an outright ban on musical programs involving transgender persons in Katlang and its environs, emphasizing their unwavering determination to uphold this restriction.

Shah further asserted that decisive measures would be taken against individuals engaged in drug peddling within the region, denouncing drugs as a grave societal menace. He warned of strict consequences for those who defy the ban on musical programs, emphasizing the Aman committee&rsquo;s dedication to eradicating this practice.

Read:&nbsp;Khyber clerics ban music, dancing by transgender persons at weddings

This decision emerged following a committee meeting, during which participants voiced concerns about the perceived issues caused by transgender persons and their dances, prompting an uncompromising stance against such activities.

It is noteworthy that this is not the first instance of local Jirgas imposing bans on music and dance in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. In a similar occurrence in July of this year, a coalition of tribal clerics took matters into their own hands, prohibiting music and dancing by transgender individuals at weddings in Khyber district. 

The decision, announced unanimously by a gathering of 26 clerics, included a declaration that weddings featuring music and dancing would not receive the nikah ceremony from clerics.

A written letter signed by the clerics threatened severe consequences for those who resisted the order, including the denial of clerical involvement in the last rites of the entire family. 

Published in The Express Tribune, December 6th, 2023.]]>
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			<title>Transgender women banned from playing international women's cricket</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2447453/transgender-women-banned-from-playing-international-womens-cricket</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2447453/transgender-women-banned-from-playing-international-womens-cricket#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 21 Nov 23 16:18:34 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[AFP]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2447453</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[ICC bars transgender women with male puberty history from international women's cricket, citing safety and fairness]]>
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				<![CDATA[Transgender women who have been through male puberty have been barred from international women&#39;s cricket under new regulations announced by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday.

In September, Canada&#39;s Danielle McGahey became the first transgender cricketer to take part in an official international match.

Transgender participation has become a hot-button issue as different sports try to balance inclusivity with ensuring fair competition.

International governing bodies in cycling and athletics have also banned transgender competitors.

The ICC board, meeting in the Indian city of Ahmedabad, said the new policy, which takes effect immediately, is aimed at &quot;protection of the integrity of the women&#39;s game, safety, fairness and inclusion&quot;.

Read also: Transgender athletes banned from women&#39;s events

&quot;Any male to female participants who have been through any form of male puberty will not be eligible to participate in the international women&#39;s game regardless of any surgery or gender reassignment treatment they may have undertaken,&quot; it said.

The regulations, which follow a nine-month consultation process, will be reviewed within two years.

The review relates solely to gender eligibility for international women&#39;s cricket. The policy at domestic level is a matter for each individual member board.

ICC chief executive Geoff Allardice said: &quot;The changes to the gender eligibility regulations resulted from an extensive consultation process and is founded in science and aligned with the core principles developed during the review.

&quot;Inclusivity is incredibly important to us as a sport, but our priority was to protect the integrity of the international women&#39;s game and the safety of players.&quot;]]>
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			<title>Sindh Moorat March held</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2447252/sindh-moorat-march-held</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2447252/sindh-moorat-march-held#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 19 Nov 23 19:47:37 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2447252</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Working for protection of rights of transgender individuals]]>
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				<![CDATA[The Sindh Moorat March held at the Frere Hall on Sunday saw participation of transgender community in large numbers, showcasing not only music and dance but also raising their voices for basic rights.

Transgender people from various provinces raised placards and banners during the march, advocating for their fundamental rights. Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab and transgender municipal representative elected on a special seat Shahzadi Rai and trans-rights activist Rani Bindia participated in the event. 

Mayor Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab, addressing the transgender community, stated that the Pakistan Peoples Party stands with them. 

He announced that PPP has decided to allocate a quota for transgender individuals in government jobs, emphasising their commitment to building an egalitarian society.

Read&nbsp;Trans people say will contest upcoming polls

He expressed confidence that the time will soon come when everyone will have equal opportunities to progress.

The march also saw the presence of transgender activists, human rights advocates, and members of the Soul Society. Despite being associated with ancient cultural history, the Khawaja Sira community faces violence and discrimination, as highlighted by the demonstrators holding placards and banners in their hands.

The Sindh Moorat March was organised by a local movement working for the protection of the rights of transgender individuals. Its purpose was to address issues faced by the marginalised community on the occasion of their international day.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 20th, 2023.]]>
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			<title>Trafficking haunts transgender community</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2437781/trafficking-haunts-transgender-community</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2437781/trafficking-haunts-transgender-community#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 25 Sep 23 19:59:53 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Asif Mehmood]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2437781</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Silenced by physical assault, intersex individuals are sold for millions of rupees through parties, WhatsApp groups]]>
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				<![CDATA[Even though slavery officially came to its end more than a century ago, covert manifestations of the dehumanising evil continue to plague the lives of millions of marginalised populations across the globe, including the transgender community in Punjab.

Despite the introduction of the Transgender Persons Protection Act in 2018, the degree of persecution endured by members of the transgender community has risen to an alarming level.

Allegedly, a significant number of intersex individuals across areas in Southern Punjab have increasingly been subjected to instances of targeted physical and sexual violence by traffickers who coerce them into dancing at affluent parties with the aim of enticing a deep-pocketed bidder.

Nigaheen, a 25-year-old trans woman from Gujranwala, was brutally tortured by her guru and his other disciples after her performance at a dance party in Sialkot. Even though Nigaheen did file a complaint against her assailants at the Saddar police station in Sialkot, the police have yet to arrest any of the accused.

&ldquo;These guru mafias are operating all over South Punjab. They coerce transgender persons into dancing and prostitution and even sell them for bids as high as Rs 10,000,000 by sharing seductive videos of their dances with potential bidders through social networking applications like WhatsApp. In case a transgender person dares to refuse the guru&rsquo;s orders, they are ruthlessly battered to the point where some even lose their lives,&rdquo; disclosed Nigaheen.

According to Saba Gul, a transgender rights activist associated with a non-governmental organisation (NGO), almost 3,469 incidents of violence against transgender individuals have been registered during the past five years, with many ending in the death of the victim.

&ldquo;I have been working tirelessly to free trafficked transgender persons from these mafias but the system is very complex. The victims are bought for a few thousand rupees by the guru who hastily sells them at double the price,&rdquo; elaborated Gul.

Human rights activists are of the opinion that even though several integral legislative steps have been taken to curtail the ostracization faced by transgender persons in the country, the reality is that many still are denied even their fundamental human rights.

&ldquo;As per Article 25 of the Constitution of Pakistan there shall be no discrimination on the basis of gender against any citizen. Furthermore, Section 5 of the Transgender Persons Protection Act of 2018, prohibits the harassment of transgender citizens. Unfortunately, the sad part is that despite the existence of these laws, transgender people continue to suffer multiple forms of oppression,&rdquo; bewailed Izzat Fatima, a human rights activist and lawyer.

Speaking to The Express Tribune on the matter, Assistant Superintendent of the Lahore Police, Syeda Sheherbano Naqvi refuted the reports of transgender trafficking. &ldquo;When transgender persons are not accepted by their families, they go to a guru, who holds the status of their parents. The guru announces to allocate an amount for a disciple when he puts a turban on his head but when that disciple leaves his guru and goes to another guru, then the other guru has to pay double the amount. As far as the incidents of violence against the transgender community are concerned, police protection centres have been set up for this, where transgender persons can contact 24 hours a day for help,&rdquo; assured Naqvi.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 26th, 2023.]]>
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			<title>NADRA resumes registration of transgender persons</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2437880/nadra-resumes-registration-of-transgender-persons</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2437880/nadra-resumes-registration-of-transgender-persons#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 26 Sep 23 05:20:17 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2437880</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[The process was halted in response to a verdict by the Federal Shariat Court three months ago]]>
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				<![CDATA[The National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) has announced the resumption of registration for transgender persons, bringing a sigh of relief to the minority community after a three-month halt.

The decision was made in a notification issued on Monday, withdrawing Nadra&#39;s earlier order to halt the registration process in response to a verdict by the Federal Shariat Court (FSC).

Rida Qazi, Nadra Public Engagement Director, stated that the printing of &#39;X&#39; National Identity Cards (NICs) for transgender individuals will now resume following instructions from the authority. She said that as the matter is now in the apex court the authority was constitutionally obligated to print &#39;X&#39; NICs for transgender persons based on recommendations from its external legal advice wing.

Nayyab Ali, the director of Transgender Rights Consultants Pakistan, applauded Nadra&#39;s decision and congratulated the transgender activist community for their unwavering efforts.

The National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) also commended Nadra for its &quot;prompt response&quot; in reactivating the NIC registration process for &#39;X&#39; gender category.

NCHR chairperson Rabiya Javeri Agha emphasized the importance of a valid NIC in ensuring the provision of various rights, particularly for marginalised communities in Pakistan.

The FSC&#39;s ruling in May 2023, which went against the provisions of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act 2018, had led to Nadra halting the &#39;X&#39; NIC registration for transgender individuals.

However, this decision faced opposition from the legal community, civil society, and human rights activists.
In response, Secretary General of the PPP Farhatullah Babar challenged the FSC verdict in the Shariat appellate bench of the Supreme Court in July.

Considered a landmark law, the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, enacted by the National Assembly in 2018, was intended to provide legal recognition and protection to transgender individuals and punish discrimination against them in various domains of life.

In September 2022, the FSC heard petitions challenging the legislation, with Mushtaq Ahmed, a Senator from Jamaat-e-Islami, and Orya Maqbool Jan, a TV anchor, joining transgender individuals Almaas Boby and Bubbly Malik as parties in the case.

Simultaneously, the Intersex Persons (Protection of Rights) (Amendment) Bill, 2022, sought amendments to the law, specifically targeting sections that were deemed contrary to Islamic and constitutional principles.

In May 2023, the FSC struck down the law and ruled that certain sections, including the definition of &#39;gender identity&#39; and &#39;transgender person&#39;, were against Sharia law. The FSC also declared sections related to the recognition of transgender identity and inheritance rights to be in violation of Sharia law.]]>
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			<title>SHC gives Sindh govt 3 weeks to respond to trans activists’ plea</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2431575/shc-gives-sindh-govt-3-weeks-to-respond-to-trans-activists-plea</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2431575/shc-gives-sindh-govt-3-weeks-to-respond-to-trans-activists-plea#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 19 Aug 23 21:09:51 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2431575</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Petition challenges Civil Hospital's denial of HIV treatment for trans people]]>
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				<![CDATA[The Sindh High Court (SHC) has given three weeks to the Sindh government to respond to a plea filed by transgender activists against not providing treatment to HIV positive trans people at the Civil Hospital. 

The civil hospital administration has submitted its response to the court clarifying that treatment to the affected transgender individuals has already started in accordance with the court orders. The court mentioned that the response from the Sindh government regarding legislation and standard operating procedures (SOPs) has been sought. The public prosecutor, on behalf of the Sindh government, requested additional time for the response. The court granted the Sindh government three weeks to reply.

Furthermore, the court emphasised that transgender people should not be subjected to discrimination. 

The plea was filed by trans activists Shehzadi Rai and Hina Baloch through Sara Malkani Advocate. In the plea they took stance that three transgender individuals, Monica, Nikoweri, and My John are living with HIV/AIDS and need medical treatment on urgent basis.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 20th, 2023.]]>
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			<title>Khyber clerics ban music, dancing by transgender persons at weddings</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2425332/khyber-clerics-ban-music-dancing-by-transgender-persons-at-weddings</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2425332/khyber-clerics-ban-music-dancing-by-transgender-persons-at-weddings#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 08 Jul 23 15:36:01 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Abuzar Afridi]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2425332</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Hardline religious figures announce boycott of nikah and funeral prayers of those violating ban]]>
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				<![CDATA[A group of local tribal clerics has once again taken the law into their own hands by imposing a ban on playing music and dancing by transgender persons during weddings&nbsp;in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa&rsquo;s Khyber district.

The decision was unanimously announced by a gathering of 26 clerics on Friday, who further declared that any weddings featuring music and dancing would not have the nikah ceremony performed by clerics.

&ldquo;If anyone refuses to obey this order or go against it, then the last rites of the entire family would not be performed by clerics,&rdquo; says a written letter signed by the clerics.

The announcement was made during a jirga attended not only by the clerics but also by local political figures and tribal elders, as reported by a local resident while talking to&nbsp;The Express Tribune.

Read more: Police in Peshawar suburb bans music at marriage ceremonies

Additionally, the letter revealed that local residents would be urged to boycott such families, and clerics would not attend their marriages either.

The group also imposed a ban on celebratory aerial firing during wedding celebrations.



This is not the first time that hardline local clerics have imposed bans on music and dances by transgender persons. In September 2017, a similar group of clerics set fire to television sets and musical instruments in Landi Kotal, which had been seized during raids on music parties.

Likewise, in July 2021, an organisation called the Hussaini Tehreek banned women without a male companion from visiting shopping centres and bazaars in Parachinar and Kurram districts.



Taking law into their own hands once again, a group of local tribal clerics has banned music in weddings along with dancing of the transgender persons in Khyber tribal district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P).

A group of 26 clerics gathered on Friday and unanimously announced the&hellip; pic.twitter.com/uF6ZN5nCY1
&mdash; The Express Tribune (@etribune) July 8, 2023


The announcment of the ban was shared on social media platforms, gaining widespread attention due to the influence of its leader, Maulana Abid Hussaini, a local cleric and former senator.

In July 2022, a jirga held in the ultra-conservative Salarzai area of Bajaur district prohibited the entry of women or couples into picnic spots, deeming it against local traditions.

The jirga, overseen by Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) and addressed by JUI-F district Amir for Bajaur, Maulana Abdur Rashid, demanded that the government take action in support of the ban. The jirga also called for the recruitment of local residents in various departments within the district, rejecting non-locals.

In February 2021, elders in Tehsil Mamond, Bajaur, banned women from visiting the Citizen Facilitation Centre (CFC) and making phone calls to local FM radio stations. Violators of the ban would face a fine of Rs10,000.]]>
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			<title>Worrying rise in digital hate speech against transgender community: report</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2417727/worrying-rise-in-digital-hate-speech-against-transgender-community-report</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2417727/worrying-rise-in-digital-hate-speech-against-transgender-community-report#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 20 May 23 10:53:29 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2417727</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Upsurge in number of cases related to financial fraud in 2022 also reported]]>
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				<![CDATA[A rise in&nbsp;digital hate speech against the transgender community was noted in 2022, said the&nbsp;Cyber Harassment Helpline report&nbsp;released by the&nbsp;Digital Rights Foundation.

The report elaborated that the removal of an&nbsp;activist and&nbsp;policy specialist&nbsp;from the panel of speakers at the TEDx conference that was scheduled to take place at the International School Lahore in August 2022, triggered an online hate campaign not just against the activist, but the transgender community as a whole.

It furthered that following the development, the helpline witnessed a significant rise in online attacks and hate speech against the transgender community from August 2022 to November 2022.

Read Govt unveils plan for transgender students

{{pdf}}

&ldquo;The Helpline team was in touch with representatives of various social media platforms to help explain the context of the campaign and request more immediate action, and while they displayed a willingness to listen, the steps taken to resolve the matter were not satisfactory and resulted in harmful content remaining on the platforms,&rdquo; the report added.

Moreover, it was also reported that there was an upsurge in the number of cases related to financial fraud in 2022.

&ldquo;There is no fixed pattern as to the people victimized by these scam attempts, but there has been an increase in the number of cases reported to the Helpline since February,&rdquo; the report stated.

It furthered that the Cyber Harassment Helpline received a total of 2,695 new cases, adding that the helpline cases were primarily through three mediums: the helpline phone number, DRF&rsquo;s social media channels, and the Helpdesk email.

The report stated that the main helpline remained the primary mode of communication, with 2,307 callers.

Also read US offers $500K grant to improve English skills of Pakistani transgender youth

It added stated that the majority of callers were from Punjab, adding that the helpline asks callers about the city and region they are contacting from in order to advise them better about their options.

&ldquo;We received complaints from people residing in Kashmir as well, but it is important to mention that since the region does not come under the Federal Investigation Agency&rsquo;s (FIA) jurisdiction, there is limited legal recourse in these cases,&rdquo; the report furthered.

The report further said that &ldquo;blackmail, hacking, threats and unsolicited contact feature as some of the top complaints brought to the Helpline by both men and women&rdquo;.]]>
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			<title>From begging to learning</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2415506/from-begging-to-learning</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2415506/from-begging-to-learning#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 07 May 23 09:53:03 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[sarfraz.memon]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2415506</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Sindh’s transgender community is moving away from begging and dancing to pursue education.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Mohammad Ali, known as Kabootri, is a 35-year-old transgender from Jacobabad, Sindh. His parents threw him out when he was 13 and since then he has lived and grown up with other transgenders. &ldquo;It is humiliating and difficult to overcome the pain of being rejected and thrown out by your family,&rdquo; they say. &ldquo;When you are young, you just want to enjoy life, but the miseries of old age begin to loom as you go grow older and it is even worse if you are a transgender. When you become weak with age and start falling ill, you feel that you are cursed and not born normal like everyone else.&rdquo;

Sometimes Kabootri visit their parents and siblings, but their lukewarm and negligent attitude is disappointing. &ldquo;I want to reunite with my family respectably, but it is not possible,&rdquo; they say with a sigh.

Another 29-year-old transgender Salahuddin, known as Laila is from Shikarpur and fears loneliness when they get old and are unable to earn through begging or attending functions. &ldquo;So far I am doing well with my chellas [students or followers in the transgender heirarchy] and I am optimistic that they will look after me and not leave me alone, but I am not at peace.&rdquo;

Gulabo Fakir, a 45-year old guru born in Ratodero, district Larkana who bid farewell to their family at the age of 13 and moved to Sukkur to live with other transgenders, agrees with Laila. &ldquo;An old guru with health issues, is dependent on the chellas to look after them, but they need to go out to work and lead their own lives, so the guru is left at the mercy of God, and finally dies a miserable death,&rdquo; says Fakir.

Faiz Mohammad known as Faizi Jan is a transgender guru [ustad or teacher the transgender hierarchy] in Jacobabad who believes that transgenders are a creation of God with different abilities, and should be treated just like other people in the society. &ldquo;Like differently-abled children, transgenders are born unique and must be accepted by their families, neighbours and above all the society,&rdquo; says Faizi. &ldquo;Our parents and siblings are reluctant to own us, as they are afraid of what people would say. When a baby is born with a certain disability, the parents don&rsquo;t throw it out, instead they consider it a special child. Similar is the case of a transgender. Why do our parents fear the reaction of close relatives, neighbours and friends? This fear and its manifestation as anger and disappointment is why we have to part ways with our families and start living with other transgenders.&rdquo;

Faizi Jan who wishes to go for Hajj and Umrah, trains newcomers to beg and dance at festive events. &ldquo;We keep ourselves informed about a newborn baby in the neighbourhood and other areas of the city, so we can go there and celebrate the new born,&rdquo; they say. &ldquo;In return they give us money.&rdquo;

Saba Khan who is known as Sakhi from Sukkur was also forced to leave home due to their families&rsquo; negative behaviour. Since the last four years they have been living with other transgenders in a rented house. &ldquo;My family&rsquo;s attitude broke my heart,&rdquo; says Sakhi with a gloomy smile. &ldquo;Otherwise I would never have moved out. But now I am happy and doing well, although it is sad that my guru, I has become old and cannot work anymore. All of my guru&rsquo;s chellas respect our guru as a parent, and we will continue to serve them as much as we can. My biggest wish is to be able to my own place to live and I am sure that it will happen one day.&rdquo;

Sanaullah, known as Sana is a young transgender from Kandiaro who decided to break stereotypes. Instead of getting trained by a guru to beg and dance, they opted for education. After completing their Bachelor&rsquo;s degree in commerce as a private student, Sana has applied for several clerical jobs in private companies and NGOs, but to no avail. &ldquo;I started applying right after graduation, but I couldn&rsquo;t get a job,&rdquo; they say. &ldquo;I am not backed by an influential officer or politician, perhaps that is what it is needed to get a job. An NGO called me for an interview, which I cleared, and I was asked to come back the next day. When I went, I was told by the manager that they had appointed someone else. But I am not going to give up and will keep applying until I find a suitable job.&rdquo;

Suhail aka Suhana went a step further to privately accomplish a Masters in Islamic Culture, after a Bachelors in IT and Education, and is now job hunting. They belong to a middle-class family of Kandiaro completed their intermediate while still living with their parents. &ldquo;My parents were against me meeting other transgenders, but how could I stop seeing my friends,&rdquo; they said.

Suhana elaborates the challenges they face as trans people. &ldquo;First our siblings wonder what&rsquo;s wrong with us, then the neighbours mock us, and then other sections of society pass insulting remarks at us,&rdquo; they say. &ldquo;Wherever we go, people make fun of us as though we are not human beings. When I went to school and college or university, to fill examination forms or for some inquiry, I would hear the words zankha, disco and so on. But that&rsquo;s not all. When we beg on the streets or attend a function, people want us to sleep with them for 400 to 500 rupees. It is impossible to make ends meet with money from begging or dancing so we resort to becoming sex workers. Being unskilled and uneducated, how else can we generate an income? Those of us who work at shops or restaurants are also mistreated in the same way. Some of us have tried to set up beauty salons, but women seldom visit our salon, only men and transgenders become our clients. This is why we feel that we are an unwanted segment of society and people are not ready to accept us, except to sleep with us.&rdquo; 

Roshni, 22 is one of Suhana&rsquo;s chellas is a sex worker who supports their family. &ldquo;My father kept me chained up at home to stop them from meeting other transpersons,&rdquo; they say. &ldquo;One day my mother freed me and I escaped to Karachi and started living with guru Shama. A year later, I moved to Sargodha to guru Shabana. When I came to know that my father had passed away, I moved back to Kandiaro.&rdquo;

Fakir Mohammad aka Karishma, a 50-year-old guru from Jacobabad feels that some trans persons become sex workers because they get exploited and a vicious cycle begins. &ldquo;People think we are sinners because some of us are sex workers,&rdquo; they say with misty eyes. &ldquo;Some willingly become sex workers, but there are many of us who want to live with dignity. You cannot blame the whole community for sins of a minority.&rdquo;

Recently, after realising that an educated Suhana could provide financial support, Suhana&rsquo;s father reconciled and took them back home. &ldquo;Now I spend time with my chellas in the day, go home at night and my parents have no objection,&rdquo; they say. &ldquo;I have applied for a few jobs, but I do wonder that when I have a job, who will manage my 40 chellas who I train to beg and dance? They earn 1200 to 1500 rupees per day and give me my due share.&rdquo; 

As we talked, a gentleman overheard our conversation and came over to introduce himself as Munawar Gill, the CEO of Riverside Development Organisation (RDO), an non-profit NGO that works to support and elevate marginalised communities, women and especially children to live a respectable life. He offered Suhana a job at his branch office in Kandiaro, which they gratefully accepted.

Suhana dresses in women&rsquo;s wear, but for working in an office, they would be happy to dress up as required even if it means wearing men&rsquo;s clothes. &ldquo;Our CNICs record our gender as male, and sometimes transgender or khwaja sira is added in brackets,&rdquo; they say. &ldquo;But apart from discrimination and marginalisation in society, our biggest setback is that we are not allowed by the government to go for Hajj or Umrah, because we are transgenders.&rdquo;

Recently, an iftar dinner was organised at the RDO office in Sukkur, where dry grocery, hygiene kits, mosquito nets, blankets and Eid gifts were distributed among more than a hundred transgenders by RDO and Community Organised Relief Efforts (a US-based NGO). Faizi Jan, Gulabo Fakir and other gurus along with their hundreds of students arrived from Sukkur, Jacobabad, Shikarpur, Larkana and Naushahro Feroze to attend the event.

Speaking as the chief guest, Essa Khan the assistant commissioner Sukkur city, affirmed that transgenders are a reality that must be accepted. &ldquo;God created human beings and the transgenders are humans just like everyone else,&rdquo; agreed Father Munir Bashir, reciting verses from the Bible. &ldquo;Humanity comes first and hence we are bound to respect each other.&rdquo;

Emphasising on proper and continuous counselling of transgenders, Dr Muneer, physician and organiser of free medical camps with RDO suggested that the government should arrange screening of transgender for Hepatitis B, C and HIV, which will not only benefit transgenders, but the society as well. &ldquo;Unfortunately in our society people mostly mock and criticise the transgender community, but they forget that God has created them the way they are.&rdquo;

As an initiative to mitigate the suffering of the old and ailing transgenders, Essa Khan plans to discuss with higher ups the screening of transgenders for deadly viruses, and to establish old homes for them at district level to provide them shelter, food and medical facilities.

Not by leaps and bounds, but by taking baby steps, the transgender community in Sindh is moving away from their traditional pattern of begging on the streets and dancing for an income and breaking the cycle to pursue education. They have CNICs that registers their identity, which is steadily building its own tiny space in society as acceptance grows through awareness campaigns, films and media. But the society needs to make a bigger and better place for trans persons, one that allows them to live with dignity.

Rejected by parents and thrown out of their homes to fend for themselves at a tender age leaves them with grave PTSD issues. Other than a warm welcome by gurus in their typical set up, where they cherish acceptance and family-type bonding, there is no mental care available for them. An issue of health care for seniors in their community is also rearing its ugly head which needs to be addressed by the authorities and the society.

Last year, in its bid to empower more trans persons in society, the Punjab government opened the first transgender public school in Lahore. Earlier, three transgender schools were set up in Multan, Bahawalpur, and DG Khan to educate and teach skills.

As per the highly controversial 2017 census, which was also rejected by the transgender community, the second highest population of transgender people is in Sindh at 2,527 or 24%. So the onus is on the government to pull its socks up and take the initiative for an act or a bill to either mandate educational institutions to follow inclusivity and enroll transgender students in the mainstream education or set up ways, means and space for them to safely pursue education. This would begin uplifting the transgender community by empowering them with education and skills, and at a broader level, it would contribute to the society.

Sarfaraz Memon is a freelance journalist and contributor based in Sukkur. All facts and information are the responsibility of the writer.]]>
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			<title>30 trans people complete Quranic lessons in Lahore</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2401726/30-trans-people-complete-quranic-lessons-in-lahore</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2401726/30-trans-people-complete-quranic-lessons-in-lahore#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 17 Feb 23 14:25:22 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Asif Mehmood]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category><category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category><category><![CDATA[Lahore]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2401726</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[The group was gifted copies of the Holy book in a ceremony in Johar Town]]>
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				<![CDATA[In a historic first, a group of 30 individuals belonging to the transgender community in Lahore have completed their Quranic lessons and were gifted a copy of the Holy Quran upon the completion of their course.

The classes were initiated by Anusha Tahir Butt for a transgender welfare organisation and took a year to complete in Lahore&#39;s Johar Town, during which Quranic lessons, as well as other Islamic education, were offered.

The completion of the course was marked by a prayer ceremony, during which copies of the Holy Quran were gifted to the participants. According to Butt, one of the reasons for the transgender community&#39;s involvement in immoral activities was a distance from Islamic teachings.

As a result, he started the course, along with other classes, so that the community could benefit from the teachings.

The participants expressed their happiness and gratitude for being part of the course and were elated on its completion. They considered themselves lucky to be part of such a course and felt proud of themselves for completing it.

The initiative has been widely appreciated by people across the country, with many hailing it as a significant step towards inclusion and the empowerment of the transgender community. It is also seen as an important step towards countering the discrimination and marginalization that members of the transgender community face in Pakistan.

The completion of the Quranic course is a testament to the fact that the transgender community is an integral part of Pakistani society and has an equal right to access education and religious teachings. The success of this initiative is likely to inspire others to take similar steps to promote the rights and welfare of the transgender community in the country.]]>
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			<title>Trans persons to get Rs7,000 stipend</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2398368/trans-persons-to-get-rs7000-stipend</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2398368/trans-persons-to-get-rs7000-stipend#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 30 Jan 23 03:47:40 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[DNA]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2398368</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Shazia Marri claims 50 thousand beneficiaries registered under the Benazir Kafalat Programme]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Chairperson of Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) Shazia Marri on Sunday announced Rs7000 allowance to transgender persons to be disbursed every third month under the Benazir Kafalat programme.

Shazia Marri, who is also Poverty Alleviation Minister, made this announcement in the ceremony of transgenders&rsquo; inclusion in the BISP at the Arts Council of Pakistan in Karachi.

The minister claimed as many as 50 thousand persons among the country&rsquo;s transgender population had been registered as beneficiaries of the Benazir Kafalat Programme, making them eligible for the cash assistance.

She said that transgender community avoided coming forward before the data managers due to society&rsquo;s behaviour towards them.

She said that the transgender community was part of society and taking care of them was the government&#39;s responsibility. &ldquo;This is a step forward in helping the struggling transgender persons who not only face immense violence in their daily lives, but are also subjected to blatant discrimination,&rdquo; she added.

&ldquo;The decision to extend BISP cash handouts to the transgender community has been made at such a time when several incidents of discrimination and violence, especially in the K-P province, have been reported against the community.&rdquo;

Shazia said that the transgenders should register with NADRA and later visit a BISP centre for further process to get the financial assistance.

She said that nine lakh families were being financially supported by BISP. The spirit of the programme was to support the poor people of society, she added.

The minister highlighted that they were facing economic and societal challenges in the country, adding that they were ignored in society and were separated from their families.]]>
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			<title>Sindh cabinet approves reserved seats for transgender persons in local councils</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2394555/sindh-cabinet-approves-reserved-seats-for-transgender-persons-in-local-councils</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2394555/sindh-cabinet-approves-reserved-seats-for-transgender-persons-in-local-councils#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 06 Jan 23 15:02:31 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[APP]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Meeting of the provincial cabinet was held at the CM House while the Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah in the chair]]>
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				<![CDATA[Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah chaired&nbsp;a meeting of the provincial cabinet on Friday, taking several decisions including the approval of reserved seats for transgenders in the local council.

&quot;Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, believing in the policy of equal rights, has approved reserved seats for transgenders in local councils. Women, youth member, labour/farmer, people of other faith &amp; differently-abled persons have been given reserved seats in local councils,&quot; the CM House said in a tweet.

All the provincial ministers, advisors, special assistants, Chief Secretary Sohail Rajput, Chairman P&amp;D Hassan Naqvi, PSCM Fayaz Jatoi, and other concerned officers attended the cabinet meeting.

According to the Associated Press of Pakistan,&nbsp;the provincial cabinet discussed the allocation of reserved seats for the local council for six categories at the request of Local Government Minister Syed Nasir Shah. The categories include women, and youth members (at least one seat), labor or farmer (one seat), non-Muslim members (one seat), persons with disabilities (one seat), and transgender persons (one seat).

Also read: Imran brought into power with &#39;full force&#39;, wasted army&#39;s efforts: PM Shehbaz

Following the approval, at least one seat would be reserved for transgender persons in the local councils.&nbsp;



Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah believing in policy of equal rights, has approved reserved seats for transgenders in local councils. Women, youth member, labour/farmer, people of other faith &amp; differently-abled persons have been given reserved seats in local councils. pic.twitter.com/HzApWLF8xv
&mdash; Sindh Chief Minister House (@SindhCMHouse) January 6, 2023



The transgender community continued to faces many challenges in the year 2022 in Pakistan, but small steps were also taken to make the country a more equal society.

In July 2022, the Sindh Assembly passed a law reserving a 0.5% job quota for the transgender community within various provincial government departments.

The Local Government Amendment Act reserved 1% of seats for transgender people, allowing them to play a role in the local government structure of 31 districts of Sindh.

In October, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) made it mandatory for mobile registration vans (MRVs) to ensure the registration of transgender persons at their doorstep to include them in political process.

The second phase of local government elections are scheduled to be held in Sindh on January 15.&nbsp;

The second phase of LG polls in Sindh was originally scheduled to be held on July 24 last year, but were postponed&nbsp;due to incessant monsoon rains across the province.]]>
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			<title>Year in review: Struggle of Pakistan's transgender community in 2022</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2393021/year-in-review-struggle-of-pakistans-transgender-community-in-2022</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2393021/year-in-review-struggle-of-pakistans-transgender-community-in-2022#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 27 Dec 22 07:52:43 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Tanya Noon]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2393021</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Trans activist says although positive steps have been taken, an ‘open heart and mind’ are lacking in our society]]>
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				<![CDATA[The year 2022 has posed many challenges for the transgender community in Pakistan, but small steps were also taken to make the country a more equal society.

The discrimination and injustice faced by the community, however, indicate the need for greater change in the coming years through both structural reform and ideological change.

Small steps

Education

In 2022, there was a focus on increasing educational opportunities for the trans community. In March, the Punjab government decided to open the first school for trans people in Lahore. Gender Guardian School, located in Barkat Market, admits only transgender students and provides school uniforms, books, and transport free of charge.

In April, Lahore&rsquo;s first madrassah for transpersons was established. Guro Shama Jan provides religious education for transpersons at her residence in Johar Town.

Later that month, the Sindh education department announced the first-ever transgender education policy that would give members of the transgender community who were unable to complete their education an opportunity to do so. It would also encourage their recruitment as teachers.

PHOTO: FILE

In September, the Punjab Ministry of Education approved the decision to build middle schools for transgender children in Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, and Chakwal.

Education is integral to empowering the transgender community. Early this year, transgender activist Sarah Gill became the country&rsquo;s first transgender doctor after graduating from Jinnah Medical and Dental College (JMDC) in Karachi.

Funding/Policy

In January, the Punjab government launched a financial aid programme called the &lsquo;Masawaat Programme&rsquo; that provides monthly financial assistance of Rs3,000 to transgender persons over 40 years of age and Rs2,000 for those between 18-40 years with disabilities.

In February, the cabinet approved the establishment of the Endowment Fund for Transgender Persons initially allocating Rs100 million for the purpose. Through this fund, transpersons will be provided interest-free loans and government officers will be trained to facilitate them.

In July, the Sindh Assembly passed a law reserving a 0.5% job quota for the transgender community within various provincial government departments. The Local Government Amendment Act reserved 1% of seats for transgender people, allowing them to play a role in the local government structure of 31 districts of Sindh.

In October, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) made it mandatory for mobile registration vans (MRVs) to ensure the registration of transgender persons at their doorstep to include them in political process.

In December, the Federal Shariat Court (FSC) directed the human rights ministry to establish a specialised child protection centre for transgender children and form a monitoring committee to ensure the provision of due rights.

Protest/Awareness

In March, a seminar titled &quot;Transgender Can Play Key Role in Society, If Given Rights,&quot; was organised by Rawalpindi Women University (RWU) to create awareness among students.

The following month, a seminar titled &#39;Elimination of Violence Against Transgender and Implementation of Transgender Rights Law at the grassroots level&#39; was organised by the People&#39;s Development Foundation, Pakistan Students Association (Canada) and Wajood Foundation to garner societal support to end violence against and exploitation of the transgender community.

Members of the transgender association protest. PHOTO: EXPRESS

In June, the first-ever National Transgender Day was celebrated at the Federal Ombudsman Secretariat of Protection Against Harassment (FOSPAH) in collaboration with Transgender Rights Consultants Pakistan.

The first-ever Sindh Moorat March also took place in November 2022, where members of the transgender community from all over Sindh, carrying banners and placards, assembled at one of the oldest parks in the city. Their demands included equality, due rights, protection and respect in society.

Need for improvement

Despite positive initiatives such as education schemes, awareness campaigns, job quotas, etc., there are obstacles to their implementation. Additionally, incidents of violence and discrimination against transgender people continue.

Violence

Three major incidents of violence occurred in March alone. In the first, five transgender people were injured after Sabtin Fida, a resident of Bedadi, opened fire on them in Mansehra. K-P police arrested the attacker and the injured persons were taken to the hospital. About a week later, one succumbed to her injuries.

Later that month, a renowned figure in the trans community, Chaand, was killed while her friend Mehboob sustained injuries during a firing incident in the Mardan district. Officials say Chaand was shot over a &lsquo;local dispute&rsquo;.

In the third incident, a young trans person was killed and another injured when unidentified motorcyclists opened fire on their car near Charsadda Chowk Museum in Mardan. The alleged attackers managed to escape.

Discrimination

In August, Dr Mehrub Moiz Awan, a prominent trans activist, was removed from the panel of speakers at the TEDx conference to be held at the International School Lahore (ISL). Mehrub claimed the institution attributed her removal to the disapproval some parents showed at having a transgender speaker.

Earlier this year, Saim Sadiq&rsquo;s film Joyland was screened at the Cannes Film Festival where it received a standing ovation. The film has been nominated for and won multiple awards, and screened at prestigious film festivals. It is also the first Pakistani movie to be shortlisted for an Oscar.

Despite international recognition and praise, the film was not welcomed the same way in Pakistan. Starring a trans woman, the film received backlash resulting in controversy around its release. Although the federal government revoked its ban and cleared the film for release across the country, the Punjab government reinstated the ban in the province.

Pakistani designer Maria B has stood out for voicing her views against transpersons. Upon Joyland&rsquo;s release, she urged her followers to boycott the film as &ldquo;it shows an extramarital affair between two men but also encourages gender transition surgery,&rdquo; and celebrated its ban in Punjab. Earlier, she supported Mehrub&rsquo;s exclusion from the TEDx panel at ISL. Maria has used her platform to spread hostility towards the transgender community.

Implementation

Transgender activists have argued that initiatives to set up educational institutions for trans students are lacking. Activist Naghma said there was &ldquo;inadequate preparation&rdquo; for the school being set up in Lahore. Another member of the community, Jannat, criticised the employment of female teachers in the school while educated transpersons remain unemployed. The lack of consultation with the community these projects aim to serve affects their impact.

Transgender and social activists protest the discriminatory attitudes of government and civic authorities. PHOTO COURTESY: GENDER INTERACTIVE ALLIANCE

Although the Transgender Act, 2018, gave transpersons the right to identify as such on their national identity cards, the implementation of this law has not been successful. Not being able to register an ID card with NADRA as a transperson impacts other rights, such as participating in elections, receiving the Covid-19 vaccine, or availing trans-specific financial aid.

According to a Ministry of Human Rights report in November, data from 36 ministries showed that the transgender job quota had not been followed. No jobs were given in Sindh and the data for Punjab was incomplete.

Policy

In mid-2022, conversations regarding the &ldquo;ambiguities&rdquo; in The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2018 began as religious parties alleged that it gives legal protection to homosexuality and &ldquo;serves the purposes of a western agenda&rdquo;. However, the transgender community referred to this as &ldquo;false propaganda&rdquo;.

Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President Ahsan Bhoon regretted the different interpretations of the Transgender Rights Act. Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar also defended the Act while encouraging amendments to it as &ldquo;any law could have loopholes&rdquo;.

Later, Jamaat-e-Islami chief Siraj-ul-Haq and the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) declared several provisions in the Act as inconsistent with Shariah. CII asked the government to form a committee of Islamic clerics and scholars as well as legal and medical experts to review the legislation.

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) challenged the Act in the FSC. The court expressed displeasure over JUI-F&rsquo;s decision to file a petition against the law five years after it was passed and for approaching the court instead of the parliament.

JI Senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan submitted a resolution to amend the transgender law, adding that a medical board should be formed, including a psychologist. He claimed that the Act allows people to register themselves under any gender &ldquo;at will&rdquo;. However, the FSC chief justice said that the main objective of the legislation was to protect and give rights to the transpersons.

Further, the senator presented an amendment bill, Intersex Persons (Protection of Rights) (Amendment) Bill 2022, which sought to change the title of the legislation and &ldquo;correct&rdquo; certain provisions believed to be contrary to the country&rsquo;s traditions and religion. Amendments were proposed in clauses two, three, seven and eight, giving persons with dubious, as well as both male and female characteristics, half of male and female inheritance, and removing the provision of self-declared gender.

Looking ahead

Although notable progress has been made to aid and empower the transgender community in Pakistan this year, there continues to be rampant discrimination and numerous incidents of violence against transpersons.

Transactivist Jannat Ali recognised the progress made with the opening of schools for transgender students. However, she doubted that after receiving an education, the job market would be open to them the way it is for men and women.

Jannat said that society&rsquo;s lack of acceptance is one of the biggest challenges, highlighting the importance of an &ldquo;open heart and mind&rdquo; which she believes remains lacking in our society.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, she said that although the Transgender Rights Act was passed, the dominant mindset remains a challenge and seems to &ldquo;reverse the progress made by the laws&rdquo;.]]>
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			<title>FSC orders formation of transgender child protection centre</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2391187/fsc-orders-formation-of-transgender-child-protection-centre</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2391187/fsc-orders-formation-of-transgender-child-protection-centre#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 15 Dec 22 11:50:04 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Hasnaat Malik]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2391187</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Shariat court asks human rights ministry to form monitoring committee]]>
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				<![CDATA[The Chief Justice of the Federal Shariat Court (FSC) Dr Syed Muhammad Anwer on Thursday directed the Ministry of Human Rights to establish a specialized child protection centre for transgender children and form a monitoring committee.

A full bench of the FSC comprising Chief Justice Anwer and Justice Khadim Hussain Shaikh heard the petition regarding the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2018.

Representatives from the trans community were also present at the hearing, with a member of the Khwaja Sira community expressing concern over the worsening situation of the community.

The FSC CJ remarked that the human rights ministry did not appear sincere in ensuring rights to transgender children.

Read Schools for trans persons

The chief justice directed the ministry to establish and monitor a specialized child protection centre for transgender children and constitute a monitoring committee of experts, including the chairperson of the national commission for human rights as its Ex-Officio Member, CEO of the Pakistan Sweet Home Zamurrad Khan, Chairperson of Akhuwat Foundation Dr Muhammad Amjad Saqib, and Nadeem-uz-Zafar Khan alias Kashish, an intersex individual and activist for trans peoples&rsquo; rights.

Furthermore, the court directed the secretary of the human rights ministry to submit a complete report with standard operating procedures (SOPs) regarding the establishment and initiation of the child protection centre within 20 days, which would provide all kinds of support to the children.

The secretary was also directed to appear in person before the FSC on the next date of hearing.]]>
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			<title>State should protect transgender children: FSC</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2390927/state-should-protect-transgender-children-fsc</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2390927/state-should-protect-transgender-children-fsc#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 13 Dec 22 15:31:37 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Hasnaat Maik]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[Court seeks report from human rights ministry by December 15]]>
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				<![CDATA[The Federal Shariat Court (FSC) on Tuesday noted that there should be exclusive protection homes for &ldquo;intersex&rdquo; children, who were abandoned by their families, as well as for the older people falling under the same category as defined in Section 2(n)(i) of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2018.

A full bench of the FSC&nbsp;comprising Chief Justice Dr Syed Muhammad Anwer and Justice Khadim Hussain Shakih was hearing a petition filed by a member of the transgender community.
During the hearing, a transgender community member expressed their concerns over their worsening situation.

The FSC&nbsp;chief justice inquired about it from the representatives of the human rights ministry. However, they were unable to provide a plausible explanation. The FSC&nbsp;chief justice expressed his concern over the matter and was dissatisfied with their explanation.

Also read: Pakistan has &lsquo;irrefutable evidence&rsquo; of India&rsquo;s involvement in terror activities: Sana

He observed that unfortunately, the children belonging to the transgender community had abandoned by their own families. He added that as a result, they were abused by criminals and fell prey to paedophiles as well as other predators in society.

&ldquo;This is a scar on the face of this society,&rdquo; he added.

He noted that the lives of these people became more miserable as they turned older.

The FSC&nbsp;CJ remarked that Section 6(a) of the Act made it compulsory for the government and human rights ministry to ensure the rescue, protection and rehabilitation of transgender people in addition to providing medical facilities, psychological care, counselling, etc to them.

The bench observed that the Almighty had bestowed dignity on every human being and this was the belief stated in the Holy Quran.

It added that this belief had also been enshrined in the country&#39;s Constitution.

The FSC&nbsp;directed the human rights ministry to submit a report by December 15, showing whether or not there was any facility for the protection of children born with some defects in their sexual organs.

Separately, the FSC&nbsp;also heard a petition on the practice of preventing daughters being given away from family property by gifting them to male children.

The same bench heard the matter. The case was argued by Advocate Dawood Iqbal on behalf of the petitioner. The lawyer stated that the practice of depriving daughters from the family property was a grave injustice and violative of several hadith of Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and hence, should be declared repugnant to the injunctions of Islam.

He further argued that in Islam, the act of gifting property to one&#39;s children was conditional on the fact that it was distributed equally among them and none of the children, particularly daughters, were deprived of it.

The counsel, while placing reliance on commentaries of Islamic jurists, argued that the religion had legalised certain forms of conduct and prohibited others in accordance with the benefit or harm they led to.

&ldquo;When a particular act or form of conduct brings about a result which is contrary to the objectives of Islam, then the latter would be held to prevail over the former,&rdquo; he added.

Also read: Several businesses &#39;destroyed&#39; due to misuse of NAB laws: CJP

The lawyer said as the act of gifting the entire property to male children by depriving daughters of the same benefit violated the basic purpose of Shariah, therefore, it must be blocked and declared to be repugnant to the injunctions of Islam.

The bench, after hearing the arguments of the counsel, issued a notice to the federal government and law ministry.

The matter was taken up by the FSC&nbsp;CJ on an application received by the court&rsquo;s human rights cell.]]>
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			<title>FSC seeks report on issuing CNICs to transgenders</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2385673/fsc-seeks-report-on-issuing-cnics-to-transgenders</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2385673/fsc-seeks-report-on-issuing-cnics-to-transgenders#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 10 Nov 22 09:32:26 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[NADRA to submit report within 15 days]]>
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				<![CDATA[The Federal Shariat Court (FSC) on Thursday sought a report from the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) on the process of issuing identity cards based on the definition of &quot;transgender&quot;.

&quot;How does NADRA define transgender male and transgender female?&quot; asked the Shariat Court.

The court ordered NADRA to submit a report within 15 days, detailing the definition of the term &quot;transgender&quot; and how it is considered in the process of issuing identity cards.

NADRA&#39; counsel argued that Regulation 13 of the issuing authority has become ineffective with the introduction of the Transgender Act.

Even before the Transgender Act 2018 was promulgated, NADRA would issue identity cards to transgender individuals, said the counsel.

Since the Transgender Act, transgender individuals have the letter &quot;X&quot; written for their gender, instead of &quot;M&quot; or &quot;F&quot;, he added.

When the FSC judge asked how NADRA defines a transgender woman and transgender man, the counsel asked for more time to prepare a response.

Chief Justice Dr Syed Mohammad Anwar expressed displeasure and said that the court was hearing the case after many days but the authority failed to prepare the main point.

&quot;Explain to the court under what procedure NADRA is determining the transgender identity,&quot; ordered the FSC chief justice.

Jamaat-e-Islami Senator Mushtaq Shayari also appeared in court. Referring to the award winning film Joyland, the senator said that a film about transgenders in Pakistan is releasing on November 18.

The film is based on the romantic story of a transgender woman and a man, he said, claiming that the Censor Board has cleared the release of the film without even viewing it.

Senator Mushtaq also requested a &quot;halt on all matters related to the Transgender Act until the matter is resolved&quot;.

Further, he said that NADRA should answer whether someone requesting a transgender identity card undergoes a medical test.

&quot;How many people have benefited from the transgender law?&quot; asked the chief justice of the Shariat Court.

He claimed that so far, the number of beneficiaries of the Transgender Act has been reported to be zero.

According to a representative of the Ministry of Human Rights, a transgender protection center has been established in the ministry.

&quot;The ministry of human rights should seriously look into the issue of transgenders,&quot; said Justice Anwar.]]>
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			<title>Shariat Court scolds JUI-F over trans act</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2379877/shariat-court-scolds-jui-f-over-trans-act</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2379877/shariat-court-scolds-jui-f-over-trans-act#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 03 Oct 22 18:22:27 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2379877</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Asks party to explain rationale behind moving court after five years after passing it]]>
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				<![CDATA[The Federal Shariat Court (FSC) on Monday expressed its displeasure over the JUI-F&rsquo;s move to file a petition against the transgender law after five years, asking the party to explain what took it so long to wake up to the problems in the legislation it had also supported.

The court remarked that it seemed that the party had not read the law before lending its support to it and stressed that instead of amending the bill in the parliament, the JUI-F has approached the court now that other similar pleas were also piling up against the act.

Acting Shariat Court Chief Justice Dr Syed Mohammad Anwer heard a set of petitions challenging the Transgender Protection Act, 2018, on grounds that it was &ldquo;repugnant to Islamic injunctions&rdquo;.

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl an ally of the government and part of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), recently challenged the transgender rights bill the FSC.

In the petition, the JUI-F requested that the act be declared against Shariat, adding that &ldquo;no law can be made against Quran and Sunnah in the country&rdquo;.

During the hearing on Monday, JUI-F&rsquo;s lawyer Kamran Murtaza said that other petitions against the transgender law are already under hearing, prompting the acting chief justice to inquire what part of the JUI-F&rsquo;s application made it different from others.

Read more:&nbsp;JUI-F moves Shariat court against transgender act

Kamran Murtaza explained to the court that he wished to represent his party in the case.

The acting chief justice asked whether JUI-F was involved in the approval of the law in the parliament, to which the lawyer replied in affirmative.

&ldquo;If you had allowed the law to pass, then what do you seek from the court now? Was it not JUI-F&rsquo;s responsibility to review the laws before passing them?&rdquo; Acting Chief Justice Dr Syed Mohammad Anwer asked.

&ldquo;The JUI-F is suddenly prompted to move the court against the law and identifying problems in it after the passage of five years now that dozens of petitions have been already filed,&rdquo; he observed.

The lawyer maintained that the party has challenged the provision that allows an individual to change gender.

However, the acting chief justice remarked that the provision the party was referring to was wrong, adding that it seemed that the party has not read the law &ldquo;and you have come to the court instead of bringing an amendment in the parliament&rdquo;.

At this, Kamran Murtaza maintained that an amended bill has also been submitted in the parliament.

He also admitted that there was a delay in approaching the court against the law.

The acting chief justice noted that the party should have spoken up about it in the parliament instead of coming to the court.

Subsequently, the court clubbed the JUI-F&rsquo;s petition against the legislation with other similar petitions and adjourned the hearing on all applications till October 18.]]>
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			<title>Religious parties set Oct 7 deadline to trans act</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2379525/religious-parties-set-oct-7-deadline-to-trans-act</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2379525/religious-parties-set-oct-7-deadline-to-trans-act#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 01 Oct 22 04:34:25 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[​ Our Correspondents]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2379525</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[JUI-F moves Shariat court against ‘controversial’ bill]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Religious parties have rejected the transgender rights bill, while giving a deadline of October 7 to the federal government to withdraw it.

Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Sirajul Haq said that if the government does not show seriousness, all religious parties will protest at Shuhada Mosque in Lahore along with a large crowd.

Following a consultative meeting of religious parties in Mansoorah, the JI chief said that the bill is against the Holy Quran and Sunnah and against the Constitution of Pakistan. He termed it part of a western agenda, adding that three major parties were on the same page on the issue.

Siraj said that he was not against the rights of transgender persons, rather he was concerned that the controversial bill would destroy the family system.

The JI chief said that a gathering of all religious parties would be held on October 7.

He further said that the transgender rights bill is more dangerous than the atomic bomb dropped by the United States on Japan in 1945.

He added that he will contact Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Sajid Mir, Allama Nasir Abbas and other religious leaders on the issue.

Meanwhile, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), an ally of the government and part of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), has challenged the Transgender Protection Act, 2018, in the Federal Shariat Court (FSC) on Friday.

In the petition, the JUI-F requested that the act be declared against Shariat, adding that &ldquo;no law can be made against Quran and Sunnah in the country&rdquo;.

The FSC fixed the party&#39;s application for a preliminary hearing on Monday, October 3.

On September 26, the Transgender Act Amendment Bill 2022 related to the protection of transgenders had been presented in the House by PTI Senator Fauzia Arshad and was then handed over to the relevant Standing Committee by the Chairman Senate.

In recent days, the high-level meeting of the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) also said that the transgender law may cause new social problems and that several provisions in the act as a whole are not compatible with Shariah principles.

The recently passed Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act by the National Assembly was enacted in 2018. The law allows transgender persons equal rights to education, basic health facilities, writing their transgender identity on their identity cards and passports, besides the right to vote and contest elections.

However, some religious parties are of the opinion that this bill is actually an attempt to give legal protection to homosexuality in the country. Senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan of the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) has also challenged the law in the Shariat court.

Earlier, Maulana Fazlur Rahman, head of the JUI-F, had also said that the &ldquo;law is against the teachings&rdquo; of the Holy Quran and Sunnah and had added that he will submit amendments to it in parliament.

Jamaat-e-Islami leader Sirajul Haq had also stated that the Act was against Islamic Sharia.

The trans community of Pakistan had said that false propaganda was unleashed against the Transgender Protection Act, lamenting that labelling those fighting for equal rights for trans people as homosexuals was tantamount to committing cruelty against them.

Amid criticism of the law by some religious parties, which perceive it as an attempt to give legal protection to homosexuality, trans people say that the 2018 act neither mentions any kind of sex change nor did it allow &lsquo;unnatural&rsquo; sex.

&ldquo;There is no mention in this 11-page act that a man can marry another man or a woman can marry another woman,&rdquo; transgender rights activist Zanaiah Chaudhry had told The Express Tribune while commenting on the criticism of the law.]]>
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			<title>Pindi's four districts to have school for transgender children</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2378443/pindis-four-districts-to-have-school-for-transgender-children</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2378443/pindis-four-districts-to-have-school-for-transgender-children#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 24 Sep 22 19:50:03 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[qaiser.shirazi]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2378443</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Education will be free; children will be provided free textbooks, uniforms and school bags]]>
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				<![CDATA[The Punjab Ministry of Education has approved the decision to build one middle school to provide education to transgender children in all the districts of the province.

Sources said that not only education will be free of charge, but the children will also be provided free textbooks, uniforms and school bags. They added that educated and experienced female teachers will be appointed at these schools.

The first transgender school was built in Multan last year and after this successful experiment, the schools now will be built in all the districts of Punjab for which funds have also been allocated.

Instructions have been issued by the Ministry of Education to start preparations for opening these transgender schools in the four districts of the Rawalpindi Division including Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, and Chakwal.

Sources said that an awareness campaign will also be started for the parents of transgender children so that they enroll them in schools.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 25th, 2022.]]>
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			<title>FSC requested to ban transgender law debate</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2377721/fsc-requested-to-ban-transgender-law-debate</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2377721/fsc-requested-to-ban-transgender-law-debate#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 21 Sep 22 04:11:08 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[​ Our Correspondents]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2377721</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, recognises the identity of the transgender people]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[The Federal Shariat Court (FSC) was requested on Tuesday to ban discussion on the Transgender Act on the social media, as hatred was being spread against the transgender community which put their lives in danger.

A two-member bench, headed by Acting FSC Chief Justice Syed Muhammad Anwar, took up the case filed against the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2018. The acting chief justice said that the actual issue here was about the rights of the transgender people.

The FSC allowed Senator Mushtaq Ahmad of the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), former senator Farhatullah Babar of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and transgender rights activist Almas Bobby to become parties to the case.

Enacted in 2018, the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, recognises the identity of the transgender people, prohibits discrimination against them, and confers upon them the right to self-perceived gender identity.

The law ensures issuance of certificate of identity to transgender persons, provides that no establishment shall discriminate against them in matters relating to employment, and provide for grievance redressal mechanism in each establishment.

The law also allows transgender person to register according to self-perceived gender identity with the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA). However, some quarters objected to the law, saying that people can register themselves under any gender at will.

During Tuesday&rsquo;s hearing, the transgender people requested the court to ban discussion on this topic on the social media. The head of the transgender department of the Islamabad police told the court that hatred was spread against the transgender community.

In Peshawar, three transgender people were killed due to the same argument, the court was informed. Hatred is being spread the on social media against the transgender community that put the lives of these people in danger, the court heard further.

The lawyer for the Human Rights Ministry told the court that the ministry&rsquo;s responsibility was to implement the law, adding that it had no role in the legislation. The chief justice said that the main objective was to protect and give rights to the community.

The chief justice added that if someone closed his eyes, he would not become blind. Similarly, if someone called himself a transgender person, he would not actually become a transgender person.

Orya Maqbool Jan told the court that the National Assembly had approved the bill when it was taken up for voting.

He added that only three lawmakers had opposed the bill at that time and asked for sending the bill to the relevant committee for deliberations.

Activist Almas Bobby requested the court to make her a party to the case. Bobby pointed out that the Supreme Court had appointed her as the focal person on behalf of the transgender community.

Babar told the court that he was involved in the legislation process. He added that he wanted to apprise the court of the objectives of the bill and discussion in parliament. He also said that actually, there were three private bills, which were merged into one bill.

Imran Shafiq, the lawyer for Senator Ahmad and the JI, told the court that a new bill had been submitted in the Senate. The lawyer said that no one should be allowed to change his or her gender at will.

The lawyer for a non-governmental organisation (NGO) &ndash; a party to the case &ndash; said that various issues had been mixed up in this act. The lawyer said that it was a birth defect which could be cured through treatment, adding that the organisation had treated many people.

Transgender Bubbly Malik told the court that he had been labelled as an LGBT person &ndash; a reference to initialism that stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender. In fact, Malik said, &ldquo;the LGBT community and we transgenders&rdquo; were totally different.

Malik requested the court to seek assistance from experts on the matter. On that the acting chief justice asked Malik to suggest names of any expert. Malik said there were many experts, including Farzana Bari and Fatima Ehsan.

However, objecting to the names, Jan emphasised the need for the opinion of a medical expert. He told the court that a sexologist could give an opinion only by observing, but the gender could not be determined without a doctor&rsquo;s certificate.

Later, the court directed all the parties to submit their written submissions. The hearing was adjourned for an indefinite period.

The act of 2018

Enacted on May 24, 2018, the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, defined &ldquo;transgender person&rdquo; as a person who is (i) intersex (khusra) with mixture of male and female genital features or congenital ambiguities: or (ii) eunuch assigned male at birth, but undergoes genital excision or castration; or (iii) a transgender man, transgender woman, khawaja sira or any person whose gender identity or gender expression differs from the social norms and cultural expectations based on the sex they were assigned at the time of their birth.

The law states that a transgender person shall have a right to be recognised as per his or her &ldquo;self-perceived&rdquo; gender identity and allows them to registered themselves as per the &ldquo;self-perceived gender&rdquo; identity with all government departments, including, NADRA.

It also states that a transgender person to whom the computerised national identity card (CNIC) has already been issued by NADRA shall be allowed to change the name and gender, according to his or her self-perceived identity on the CNIC, driving licence and passport.

The chapter on prohibition of certain acts states that no person shall discriminate against a transgender person at educational institutes; deny or give unfair treatment in relation to employment, trade or occupation, and deny healthcare facilities.

The use of public facilities of transportation and accommodation can&rsquo;t be denied under the law. It also ensures right to movement, sale, purchase, rent or inherit moveable or immovable property; provides the opportunity to stand for of hold public or private office and prohibits harassment based on their sex, gender identity and gender expression.

The act makes it obligatory on the government to establish centres and safe houses to ensure rescue, protection and rehabilitation of transgender persons in addition to providing medical facilities, psychological care, counselling and adult education to them.

It also says that the government should establish separate prisons, jails and confinement cells for transgender persons, involved in any kind of offences; formulate special vocational training programmes and provide them incentives, loans and grants to start small businesses.

Under the law, the transgender persons have the right to inherit, education, employment, vote, hold public office, health, assembly, property; access to public places; and guarantee of fundamental rights.]]>
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			<title>Call for equal status for transgender persons</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2354238/call-for-equal-status-for-transgender-persons</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2354238/call-for-equal-status-for-transgender-persons#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 25 Apr 22 19:41:44 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[APP]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2354238</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Speakers urge community support to end violence, exploitation of trans people]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Speakers at an awareness seminar stressed the need for providing equal status to the transgender community.

The seminar titled &#39;Elimination of Violence Against Transgender and Implementation of Transgender Rights Law at the grassroots level&#39; was organised by the People&#39;s Development Foundation, Pakistan Students Association (Canada) and Wajood Foundation. Human right activists, lawyers, journalists and law enforcers attended the event.

PSA Canada President Asman Bhutta and Secretary Ujala said via video link that the purpose of the seminar was to get the support of all sections of society so that the violence and exploitation against the transgender community could be ended.

They stressed the need to create a network that would work to prevent incidents of violence and promote equality at the community level. Bhutta said the association has helped in enlisting the names of 800 individuals in Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) in collaboration with the Peoples Development Foundation. He said such collaborations were imperative for ensuring the provision of rights to transgender people. He stressed the need to include subjects related to gender identity in the curriculum.

Read&nbsp;Transgender education policy

Wajood Foundation Programme Director Ayesha Mughal informed the audience that the law on transgender rights was passed by Parliament in 2018 and was enacted in 2020. She referenced the guidelines issued by National Commission for Human Rights regarding transgender rights.

Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Additional Commissioner Qurat-ul-Ain apprised the participants about the administration&#39;s efforts in imparting education, training and awareness and ensured the appointment of a transgender representative at the special desk. 

Ministry of Human Rights Transgender rights expert Mariyum Sharif highlights the Human Right Commission&#39;s steps taken for the provision of transgender rights and the implementation of relevant laws to facilitate them. 

&nbsp;

Published in The Express Tribune, April 26th, 2022.]]>
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			<title>LHC moved against filmmakers for using word ‘Khusra’ in movie</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2354296/lhc-moved-against-filmmakers-for-using-word-khusra-in-movie</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2354296/lhc-moved-against-filmmakers-for-using-word-khusra-in-movie#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 26 Apr 22 08:02:03 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Rana Yasif]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2354296</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Petitioner alleges ‘Dum Mastam’ to release this Eid ‘ridicules transgender community’]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[The Lahore High Court (LHC) has sought replies from quarters concerned on a writ petition filed against a movie &lsquo;Dum Mastam&rsquo; scheduled for released on Eidul Fitr over making fun of the transgender community by using the word &ldquo;Khusra&rdquo; in the film.

The petition filed through Barrister Muhammad Ahmad Pansota stated: &ldquo;The filmmakers violated the Rights of Citizens and in particular the transgender community by using a derogatory word &lsquo;Khusra&rsquo;.&rdquo;

The court was requested to issue a direction to all programmes to ban using the word &ldquo;Khusra&rdquo; and that no one should be allowed to ridicule the transgender community.

The transgender persons across the world face discrimination and are marginalised in society. This level of marginalisation varies from region to region and country to country. For a developing country like Pakistan, the case for transgender persons, locally known as Hijras, had been no better until March 7, 2018, when the Senate of Pakistan passed &lsquo;The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2018&rsquo; (Senate 2018). The bill is a response to years of marginalisation and abuse targeting transgender persons.

Read More:&nbsp;&nbsp;Call for equal status for transgender persons

The law removes the stipulation of presenting the transgender persons in front of a medical board to determine their sex.

The law also gives them the right to have their NICs corrected from NADRA offices and reinforces their rights to get passports as well as driving licences. In addition to getting the correct citizenship documents, the law also safeguards the community from discrimination by strictly prohibiting harassment and marginalisation at workplaces in companies and organisations.

Though these are still early days to determine how effectively this bill will play out in safeguarding the rights of the transgender persons of Pakistan, but it is certainly a step in the right direction.

&ldquo;That the respondents (the federation through its secretary as well as ministries of human rights and minorities affairs through their secretaries) are bound under the Constitution to secure all rights the citizens of Pakistan are entitled to, especially those which have a direct impact on the quality of their lives including the intrinsic, fundamental, constitutionally guaranteed right to life and dignity, that encapsulate the right to live respectfully, free from all kinds of mockery,&rdquo; the petition added.

The petitioner sought the indulgence of the court in a matter of critical and grave nature pertaining to the rights of citizens. The sole purpose to seek the help of the court was for protection of the constitutionally guaranteed intrinsic rights under articles 4, 9, and 14 of the Constitution.

The petitioner also sought to highlight the indifference, lassitude and inaction of the respondents towards the Pakistani citizens who are being ridiculed, mocked and teased in this country and most importantly have been subjected to mockery in a recent trailer of a movie.

&ldquo;This mockery should have been condemned by the respondents who are bound by the relevant provisions and laws to take action of the impugned conduct. It is in this regard that the petitioner seeks direction from this court to enforce the abovementioned articles of the Constitution and direct the respondents to take strict action against the perpetuators who have violated the human rights and have hurt the sentiments of the transgender community.&rdquo;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;]]>
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			<title>US to issue gender neutral passports, take steps to combat anti-transgender laws</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2350503/us-to-issue-gender-neutral-passports-take-steps-to-combat-anti-transgender-laws</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2350503/us-to-issue-gender-neutral-passports-take-steps-to-combat-anti-transgender-laws#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 31 Mar 22 20:17:15 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Reuters]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2350503</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Americans will be allowed to choose an X for gender on their passport applications]]>
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				<![CDATA[Americans will be allowed to choose an X for gender on their passport applications and select their sex on Social Security cards, the Biden administration said on Thursday in announcing measures to support transgender Americans against wave of state laws targeting them.

The State Department in June said US citizens could select their gender on applications without having to submit medical documentation. In October, it issued the first American passport with an &quot;X&quot; gender marker, designed to give nonbinary, intersex and gender-nonconforming people an option other than male or female on their travel document.

&quot;Starting on April 11, US citizens will be able to select an X as their gender marker on their US passport application, and the option will become available for other forms of documentation next year,&quot; Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.

Americans will also be able to select and add their gender to US Social Security cards without medical documentation, beginning in the fall, the Social Security Administration said. The cards currently do not include gender indicators.

The changes were among several measures announced by the Biden administration to mark a &quot;Transgender Day of Visibility,&quot; a day after the Republican governors of Oklahoma and Arizona signed bills banning transgender athletes from girls&#39; sports in schools.&nbsp;

They joined a growing list of states that have passed or enacted similar laws on a contentious election-year issue. Transgender rights have been pushed to the forefront of the culture wars playing out in parts of the United States in recent years, together with issues such as reproductive rights.

&quot;The administration once again condemns the proliferation of dangerous anti-transgender legislative attacks that have been introduced and passed in state legislatures around the country,&quot; the White House said in a statement on initiatives it would take aimed at taking down barriers for transgender people.

They include easing travel, providing resources for transgender children and their families, improving access to federal services and benefits and advancing inclusion and visibility in federal data.

The Transportation Security Administration will implement gender-neutral screening at its checkpoints with changes in imaging technology, reducing the number of pat-down screenings, removing gender identification from checkpoint screenings and updating TSA PreCheck to include an &quot;X&quot; gender marker on its application.

The Department of Health and Human Services released a&nbsp;new website&nbsp;that offers resources for transgender and LGBTQI+ youth, their parents, and providers.

Other agencies will announce new actions to expand the collection and use of sexual orientation and gender identity data, the White House said.

&quot;Every American deserves the freedom to be themselves. But far too many transgender Americans still face systemic barriers, discrimination, and acts of violence,&quot; the White House said.]]>
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			<title>UK lawmaker comes out as first transgender member of parliament</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2350309/uk-lawmaker-comes-out-as-first-transgender-member-of-parliament</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2350309/uk-lawmaker-comes-out-as-first-transgender-member-of-parliament#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 30 Mar 22 18:21:45 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Reuters]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2350309</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Britain has had an occasionally vitriolic and trivialised debate about transgender issues and women's rights]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[A lawmaker in Prime Minister Boris Johnson&#39;s Conservative Party said on Wednesday he planned to change his gender identity to become Britain&#39;s first openly transgender member of parliament, a decision he said followed a series of harrowing episodes in his personal life.

Jamie Wallis, 37, who represents an area in Wales, said in a statement he was diagnosed with gender dysphoria and has &quot;felt this way&quot; since he was a child.

In a highly personal statement, Wallis detailed a series of traumatic incidents over the past two years including being raped after refusing to have sex with someone he met online, becoming the subject of blackmail attempt over his gender dysphoria, and fleeing the scene after he crashed a car.

&quot;I have never lived my truth and I&#39;m not sure how. Perhaps it starts with telling everyone,&quot; Wallis said. &quot;I had no intention of ever sharing this with you. I always imagined I would leave politics well before I ever said this out loud.&quot;

Read more:&nbsp;Leading rights activist becomes Pakistan&rsquo;s first transgender doctor

Wallis said he was trans, &quot;or to be more accurate, I want to be&quot;. After receiving questions about which pronouns he will use, Wallis said he will continue to use &quot;he/him/his&quot; for now.

The statement was met with messages of support from the prime minister, the foreign minister Liz Truss, the Northern Ireland Minister Brandon Lewis, and other members of parliament.

Johnson praised Wallis for his bravery and sharing his &quot;very intimate&quot; story &quot;which will undoubtedly support others&quot;.

Britain has had an occasionally vitriolic and trivialised debate about transgender issues and women&#39;s rights in recent years.

Also read:&nbsp;Transgender schools: road to education for all

Politicians have been asked this week if men should be asked if they are pregnant before undergoing scans at hospitals. This comes after media reports that some hospitals have a policy to ask all men and women under the age of 60 the question before they undergo medical procedures with radiotherapy.

Other politicians have argued that letting trans people legally change gender without a medical diagnosis would allow predatory men access to women-only spaces such as changing rooms.]]>
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			<title>Transgender shot dead over 'local dispute' in Mardan</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2348441/transgender-shot-dead-over-local-dispute-in-mardan</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2348441/transgender-shot-dead-over-local-dispute-in-mardan#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 17 Mar 22 17:11:38 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Ahtesham Khan  ]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category><category><![CDATA[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]]></category><category><![CDATA[Mardan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2348441</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[As many as 70 transgender persons were killed in K-P in the last few years, says a social activist]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[A renowned transgender Chaand was killed while her friend Mehboob sustained injuries during a firing incident in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa&#39;s Mardan district, police officials said.

District Police Officer (DPO) Mardan Dr Zahid told The Express Tribune that an investigation is underway to arrest the culprits as soon as possible.

&quot;It&#39;s too early to say about the motive behind the killing but it doesn&#39;t appear to be a target killing incident but rather a local dispute,&quot; he added.

Read more: Two transgender persons murdered in Gujranwala

Social activist of K-P&#39;s transgender community Arzu, while condemning the incident, told The Express Tribune that in the last few years, 70 transgender had been killed in the province but not a single accused has been convicted, saying that the government has failed to give security and rights to the marginalised community.

Recently, the transgender community protested against local police authorities, saying that they face threats every now and then.

On Monday, the police arrested a suspect for his involvement in an attack on five transgender persons in Mansehra.

City Police arrested Sabtin Fida, a resident of Bedadi, who opened fire and injured five transgender persons in Mansehra.

Also read: Man held for attacking five transgender persons

The City Police Station Mansehra was informed that five injured transgender persons were brought to King Abdullah Hospital in critical condition, all had gunshot injuries. The injured transgender Mohsin alias Mona while giving a statement to the police said, &ldquo;I reached my room near Pima Hospital along with my other colleagues, Sabtin who was already in the room, opened fire on us with an intent to kill us.&rdquo;

Mohsin along with other four colleagues received many shots in the body and sustained injuries. The other injured transgender persons identified as Sameer Iftikhar, a resident of Chakia Road Mansehra, Bilal alias Kaif, a resident of Lahore, Bilal alias Natasha, a resident of Kahwali Ziarat, Mansehra and Azeem Nazir, a resident of Chakia Road, Mansehra.

A case has been registered against the accused under the provisions of attempted murder on the complaint of Mohsin alias Mona, a resident of Sheikh Albandi, Abbottabad.

In February, two transgender persons were allegedly shot dead by unidentified assailants in Gujranwala.

Police said that the victims identified as Shehzad alias Sanam and Zain alias Zaini were in their home in Madukhalil area. They were preparing to leave for a function when unidentified motorcyclists entered the house and shot them. As a result of the incident, both the victims died on the spot.]]>
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			<title>Transgender and uninsured</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2344430/transgender-and-uninsured</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2344430/transgender-and-uninsured#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 20 Feb 22 07:03:59 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[asad.zia]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2344430</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Transgender people -- often excluded from NADRA’s database -- aren’t getting insured in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[In mid-January, Farzana Jan heard from a friend that Divya, who only goes by one name, 25, a transgender woman from Bunner District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, was critically ill. When Jan and a friend arrived at Divya&rsquo;s flat in Nowshera, they found her lying motionless on a single bed in a dark room. The washroom door was open, with clothes and shoes strewn on the carpet. It looked as if no one &ndash; not even people from the adjacent two rooms -- had visited the space for a long time.

As the president of TransAction Alliance, the first organization to represent transgender people in the province, Jan is used to helping people in her community cope with difficult situations. Still, Divya&rsquo;s situation caught her off guard. &ldquo;I was distressed after looking at her condition,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;She was not in this position to sit with us and talk with us.&rdquo; After coaxing her to stand, Jan and a colleague took Divya to Peshawar for treatment. At Lady Reading Hospital, doctors tested Divya&rsquo;s urine and antibodies. Later that evening, Jan heard the shocking news: Divya had HIV. If untreated, it could lead to AIDS.

According to TransAction Alliance between nine and ten thousand transgender people reside in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). But only around 400 of them are registered by NADRA and few of them have National Identity Cards. As a result, many are defied the right to government including healthcare through the Sehat Cards Plus program. Sehat Card Plus is a health insurance program initiated by the government of KP for all citizens in the province. The program aims to provide free treatment for accidents and diseases including diabetes, kidney disease, cancer, liver and kidney transplants, Hepatitis B and C, and heart disease in 701 public and private hospitals around the province.

Through this program, about 7.6 million families in KP are getting free inpatient healthcare services. But since data for beneficiaries is sourced through NADRA, a database controlled by the Interior Secretary of Pakistan, most transgender people don&rsquo;t qualify for Sehat Cards because they don&rsquo;t have CNIC. Since many transgender people are ostracized from their relatives, they aren&rsquo;t listed in the NADRA database with their families, either.

Going at it alone

Around ten years ago, Divya went back to her family&rsquo;s home in Bunner but was turned away because she was transgender. When she came home again after her HIV diagnosis, her family initially refused to accept her again. But after conversations with a council of elders and a cleric in the area, they agreed to take her back. Divya is now registered for treatment at the Hayatabad Medical Complex (HMC) in Peshawar, along with 24 other transgender HIV-positive patients from KP. 

Dr Riaz Tanoli, the CEO of the Sehat Card Plus program, said that anyone who resides in KP and holds CNIC is automatically registered for insurance. But he said there are only 19 transgender people registered for Sehat Cards. He said fractured relations with family members and lack of awareness about the importance of CNIC among the transgender community are among the reasons for low Sehat Card Plus registration.

Namkeen, who also only goes by one name, a transgender woman and social activist based in Peshawar, said the main reason people from the transgender community fail to receive government benefits is lack of awareness. She said many transgender people in Pakistan are illiterate and don&rsquo;t know about their rights. Some feel insecure in public settings, which stops them from seeking the services they need.

Namkeen graduated with a degree in political science and now works at a non-profit organization. But she said she also feels insecure sometimes because of how people behave around her, even in the office. 

Namkeen has a CINC and got treatment for her kidney stones at HMC in November 2021. She submitted her NIC information, prescription, and receipt from hospital intake and got her medication free of cost.

In a private hospital, Namkeen said her surgery would have cost her Rs 2500, which she wouldn&rsquo;t have been able to afford. She said the Sehat Card Plus program is a great initiative from the government, especially for low-income and transgender people, but they need to have the right information to take advantage of the program.

Societal exclusion

Qamar Naseem, the program coordinator for Blue Veins, an organization based in KP working for transgender rights, said transgender people are the most marginalized group in Pakistani society. Due to cultural and social norms, they are often disowned by family members for their gender. They live anonymously, he said, with neither national nor social identities.

Generally, transgender people are deprived of the most basic things in Pakistan, such as citizenship identity, education, shelter, employment, and healthcare. They are excluded from many cultural, religious, and social happenings and society does not respect them because they don&rsquo;t hold a clear gender.

Misunderstanding about the transgender community is perhaps most evidenced by 2017 official census numbers, which account for only 1,000 people in KP. Naseem said the transgender community believes the true number of transgender people in the province is closer to 50,000. Naseem said social issues are the biggest factor creating this discrepancy. Although the Sehat Card covers all treatment, it does not cover transitional health care for transgender people. Naseem said he strongly encourages authorities to consider including this in the program&#39;s coverage to make it more inclusive.

Dr Subhan Khan, a senior doctor of HMC, said his hospital has a proper unit for HIV/AIDS patients. He said there are 2,776 patients registered in the unit, including 25 transgender people. The hospital has a facility to test people for the disease and once a person is diagnosed as HIV positive, it can provide treatment for them on the premises. Patients are required to come in monthly after their diagnosis for a checkup about their physical health and for advice on which medications to take for their condition. Khan urged patients from the transgender community registered with NADRA to come forward for free treatment that could change their life.

Dr Tanoli said the Sehat Card Plus program is willing to adjust its requirements if NADRA registers transgender people as individuals. This way, he said, no one from the transgender community will be deprived of benefits from the program as a result of not having a family tree in the NADRA database. He said the Sehat Card Plus program will cover all issues faced by transgender people if they can register themselves.

But for Divya and others, it might be too little too late. She said she wasn&rsquo;t aware of the Sehat Card Plus program when she started to get sick. She is still living in her family&rsquo;s home in Bunner District while waiting for a spot at the hospital &ndash; taking regular pain killers because her family can&rsquo;t afford medication or a doctor&rsquo;s visit to get her a prescription. She comes from a family with limited means and her relatives are struggling to give her the care she needs.

Jan worries there are many more transgender people in Divya&rsquo;s condition. She fears they won&rsquo;t seek treatment because of the cost and the stigma associated with aids and other diseases. &ldquo;Now we can only pray for Divya&rsquo;s recovery,&rdquo; she said. 

&nbsp;]]>
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			<title>USA Swimming changes rules in wake of athlete's success</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2341798/usa-swimming-changes-rules-in-wake-of-athletes-success</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2341798/usa-swimming-changes-rules-in-wake-of-athletes-success#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 03 Feb 22 11:29:47 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[AFP]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2341798</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[New guidelines, including testosterone limits, could impact transgender Lia’s ability to race competitively]]>
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				<![CDATA[A transgender American swimmer&#39;s controversial career hung in the balance Wednesday after USA Swimming announced new rules, including testosterone limits, that could impact her ability to race competitively.

Lia Thomas has dominated US collegiate women&#39;s swimming as a student-athlete at the University of Pennsylvania where, just a few years ago, she competed on the men&#39;s team.

Now, amid an uproar fueled by those who say Thomas has an unfair advantage, USA Swimming unveiled guidelines that do not mention the 22-year-old by name but will impact her future in the sport &ndash; although exactly how remains unclear.

The policy said that because swimming is &quot;an important vehicle for positive physical and mental health,&quot; it remains committed to &quot;greater inclusivity&quot; at the non-elite levels of the sport.

But critics said the new policy from the governing body for competitive swimming in the United States might achieve just the opposite.

USA Swimming said it had created a new set of guidelines for transgender athlete participation in elite competition that &quot;relies on science and medical evidence-based methods to provide a level-playing field for elite cisgender women, and to mitigate the advantages associated with male puberty and physiology.&quot;

It said that a three-member panel comprised of medical experts and a veteran athlete was being established to implement the new policy and to rule on specific cases.

A key criterion that the panel will look for is that &quot;from a medical perspective, the prior physical development of the athlete as a male, as mitigated by any medical intervention, does not give the athlete a competitive advantage over the athlete&#39;s cisgender female competitors.&quot;

In addition, a swimmer is ineligible &quot;unless the athlete demonstrates that the concentration of testosterone in the athlete&#39;s serum has been less than 5 nmol/L (as measured by liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry) continuously for a period of at least 36 months before the date of application.&quot;

Doctors measure testosterone in nanomoles per liter (nmol/L). According to New York&#39;s Mount Sinai hospital, the healthy range of testosterone in a woman is 0.5 to 2.4 nmol/L.

Thomas followed National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) rules, undergoing a year-long testosterone suppression treatment.

But some organizations, such as the Women&#39;s Sports Policy Working Group, have deemed these rules insufficient, especially in cases where an athlete has begun her transition after puberty.

Athlete Ally, an activist organization that combats homophobia and transphobia in sport, swiftly responded that the new USA Swimming policy appears to be targeting Thomas.

&quot;These sweeping new restrictions appear to be a direct retaliation against Lia Thomas, a talented, hard-working athlete who has followed all guidelines, is supported by her team, and trains diligently,&quot; said Anne Lieberman, the group&#39;s director of policy and programs.

The NCAA, which governs US college sports, said in January it would enforce rules set forth by USA Swimming, which has the authority to bar swimmers from competitions.

A swim meet for the Ivy League &ndash; a grouping of top private northeastern US universities &ndash; is scheduled for February, and the NCAA National Championships are in March.

&quot;Penn Athletics has been informed of the new USA Swimming transgender participation policy,&quot; the university&#39;s sports department said in a statement.

&quot;We continue to work with the NCAA regarding Lia Thomas&#39; participation in the 2022 NCAA Swimming and Diving Championship.&quot;

Thomas said she began her transition in May 2019 with hormone replacement therapy &ndash; a combination of estrogen and testosterone suppressants.

In early December at a meet in Ohio, she notched the best times of the year at the university level in the 200m and 500m freestyle.

Her performances have renewed a long-running debate about the fairness of a transgender woman competing against those who were born biologically female.

Members of the Penn swimming team and diving team issued a statement supporting their transgender teammate.

&quot;We want to express our full support for Lia in her transition,&quot; they said in the statement released late Tuesday, apparently after one teammate spoke out about Thomas.

&quot;We value her as a person, teammate, and friend. The sentiments put forward by an anonymous member of our team are not representative of the feelings, values, and opinions of the entire Penn team, composed of 39 women with diverse backgrounds.&quot;]]>
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			<title>Review: ‘Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui’ offers the same package wrapped in rainbow colours</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2341243/review-chandigarh-kare-aashiqui-offers-the-same-package-wrapped-in-rainbow-colours</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2341243/review-chandigarh-kare-aashiqui-offers-the-same-package-wrapped-in-rainbow-colours#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 31 Jan 22 06:16:55 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Rajaa Moini]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Film]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2341243</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Despite the film’s talk of fluidity, Ayushmann Khurrana's latest feels sterile and rigid]]>
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				<![CDATA[For an industry inundated with so much of the same, Abhishek Kapoor&rsquo;s film Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui appears as though it would be a breath of fresh air, and, on that note, it does deliver from time to time. However, for a film with a subject matter of such immense depth and richness, it comes off as surprisingly hollow.

With actor Ayushmann Khurrana&rsquo;s latest &lsquo;social issue&rsquo; offering, Bollywood attempts to raise the banner of inclusivity via the love story of Manu and Maanvi, the former a manly-man bodybuilder with bulging muscles and a semi-shaved head, chugging protein shakes and lifting weights the equivalent of a baby elephant, and the latter a perfectly feminine Zumba instructor with a near-perfect blow-dry and microscopic waist to match.

Ticking all the traditional boxes of what it means to be stereotypically male and female, the only cause of conflict is that Maanvi is a transgender woman, and Manu, despite his macho, tough-guy persona, has unknowingly fallen in love with her. As he embarks on a journey towards accepting his feelings for Maanvi, in the process correcting his notions of what it means to be &lsquo;normal&rsquo;, Manu is hounded by his sisters far too preoccupied with his love life and supported by a set of twin best friends who have no real personalities of their own, serving only as reflections of the male lead.

The film also throws in a micro sub-plot that revolves around Manu&rsquo;s widower father falling in love with a Muslim woman, much to his family&rsquo;s disapproval. Peppered with references to Ghalib, sewaiyyan and biryani, rubab music swells in the background at the mere mention of the inter-faith relationship.

As an open display of his change of heart, Manu gives a speech on being &lsquo;normal&rsquo;, and how there may be no such thing. While meant to be an honest, heartfelt moment, the viewer can&rsquo;t shake the creeping feeling of deception. This, perhaps, can be chalked down to two things. Firstly, Manu and Maanvi truly epitomise the traditional gender binary. Regardless of the fact that Maanvi identifies as a transgender woman, when it comes to traditional femininity, she could very well leave every other female character in the film in the dust. She is soft-spoken, demure, is positively brimming with grace, and her supermodel features only add to her perfection. Despite the film&rsquo;s talk of fluidity, the character feels rigid.

This may be exacerbated if the viewer is aware of the fact that the actor playing Maanvi, Vaani Kapoor of Shuddh Desi Romance fame, is not, in fact, a trans woman. The reluctance of the filmmakers to cast a trans actor to play the character, instead choosing a cookie-cutter actor such as Kapoor to essay the role, feels disingenuous to say the very least.

Both Manu and Maanvi overtly subscribe to traditional gender roles, and the film&rsquo;s aversion to any indigenous explanations of Maanvi&rsquo;s gender and sexuality, steering clear of vernacular terminology, gives the film a sanitised, white-washed quality. Maanvi&rsquo;s gender expression is acceptable because she can converse in fluent English and is part of the upper echelons of Indian society. Her social status and traditional good looks negate several of the obvious drawbacks that come with identifying as trans.

After the death of his mother, a young Manu copes with his grief by binging on food, which leads to weight gain and relentless fat-shaming by his friends and family. Sick of the heckling, he decides to become a bodybuilder, relying on protein supplements and strict dieting which, according to his own account, has detrimental effects on his health. In his speech on normality, Manu asserts that his toxic relationship with fitness also leaves him outside the realm of normalcy, implying that he sees himself as an outcast as well. The equating of Maanvi&rsquo;s gender expression with his unhealthy lifestyle is enough to raise more than a few red flags.

Regardless of its shortcomings, the film is entertaining. However, the secret to its entertainment value is simple: Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui is as formulaic as a Bollywood film can get. Despite the out-of-the-box decision to employ a trans character, the film plays out the same way as every other Bollywood romantic dramedy on offer.

There is a sweetness to the film, but it lacks sincerity and conviction. The filmmakers skim the surface, being far too afraid to actually take a deep dive into the complex world of what it means to be multi-facetedly queer in a world increasingly hostile towards difference.

The audience knows exactly what is going to happen next every step of the way. The finale of the film is an amalgamation of all the different plot threads getting their sweet little happy endings without much effort exercised to get to that point. Friends are there for each other. Families reunite. Love wins. The same old narrative repackaged in rainbow-coloured wrapping paper and not much else.]]>
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			<title>Transgender women demand protection</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2334225/transgender-women-demand-protection</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2334225/transgender-women-demand-protection#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 16 Dec 21 18:39:01 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2334225</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Representatives of vulnerable communities highlight discrimination at health facilities ]]>
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				<![CDATA[The Gender Interactive Alliance (GIA) and Aurat March officials held a joint press conference on Thursday demanding an end to what they called was &ldquo;genocide of our khwaja&nbsp;sira sisters.&rdquo;

According to a press release issued by the Aurat March and GIA four transgender women died in a month due to apathy of the society - two were murdered, while two died of being denied healthcare services.

The speakers said that Bijlee was a kind transgender woman who was known to be on good terms with her neighbours. Her primary source of income was begging. This week, she was strangled to death in her own house.

Toffe, was a young 19-year old transgender woman who was refused treatment at the Dr Ruth KM Pfau Civil Hospital because she was HIV-positive. She subsequently died because of denial of her basic right.

Read more:&nbsp;Transgender people urged to register with NADRA

The press release said that Sherly was so aggressively discriminated against in healthcare spaces that she was terrified to seek treatment when she needed it. Unfortunately, she passed away because of our healthcare system&#39;s transphobia.

&ldquo;X - she was violently murdered in Lyari. Her family doesn&rsquo;t wish to disclose her name because they are still being threatened by the murderer,&rdquo; the press release stated.

&ldquo;These were all khwaja sira women; our sisters. They were all deprived of their right to life in the most callous manner, but what makes it worse is that we didn&rsquo;t even hear about them through our media,&rdquo; the statement said.

Condemning the increase in violence and discrimination against the khawaja sira community, GIA and Aurat March said in the press release that the process to deprive them of their place in society began with the colonisation of South Asia.

Also read:&nbsp;Two transgender persons murdered in Gujranwala

They maintained that prior to the arrival of British colonists and their social order, the kwaja siras enjoyed social recognition and employment in many dignified professions.

Khawaja siras are shut out of public spaces, healthcare, and educational institutions. Imagine going to a public health institution and being refused medical care because you are a khwaja sira; dying right after.&nbsp; Imagine dying because you didn&#39;t get the adequate healthcare that our Constitution guarantees.

&nbsp;Hundreds of khawaja sira women are killed and physically abused every year in Pakistan. Tragically, we don&#39;t see the media or state paying any attention to this issue.

Therefore, we demand:

A complete end to the genocide of our khawaja sira sisters. Stating their demands, GIA and Aurat March said:

&ldquo;We demand a full and thorough investigation into the four murders, and demand that the state act against the perpetrators.

We demand the state take notice of the un-Constitutional discrimination of khawaja sira community at public and private health care facilities.

They also demanded the medical fraternity uphold its oath and provide healthcare to khwaja sira patients without discrimination. They urged the media to take notice of violence and discrimination against khwaja sira sisters.&nbsp;

We demand that the federal and provincial authorities implement all obligations under the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2018, including the establishment of protection centers and safe houses.]]>
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			<title>Devoutness cuts across gender</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2326943/devoutness-cuts-across-gender</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2326943/devoutness-cuts-across-gender#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 29 Oct 21 18:42:22 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[sarfraz.memon]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2326943</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[In a community often consigned to a limited number of demeaning jobs, Nanni Jameela’s story tells a story of respect]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Most people don&rsquo;t take the transgender community seriously as many of the transgender people earn their livelihood through entertainment and begging or selling their bodies for money. Ranked so low on the human denomination scale that violence against them or mistreatment of them often doesn&rsquo;t inspire much sympathy either.

In this landscape of pigeonholing of the transgender community, Nanni Jameela is the ultimate anomaly. She is a Quran teacher and so far has taught Quran to more than hundred thousand boys and girls during last more than 45 years of her life.

Born a transgender, she says she is contended with the creation of Almighty Allah and states, &ldquo;What if I was born a dog or cat or any other animal? I am thankful to Almighty Allah for making me a human being. I was not born as transgender by choice, rather it was the will of the creator and I am happy with it,&rdquo; she says adding, &ldquo;I am teaching the Holy Quran to the children and I think it&rsquo;s a big reward for me by Almighty Allah.&rdquo;

Though heartbroken due to the negative attitude of the people quite close to her, the 80-year-old transgender Jameela, most popularly referred as Amma Jameela, Nani Jameela or Nani Madrassa Wali, lives in Sukkur and teaches the Holy Quran to children.

Born in March 1941, in Syed Mohammad Yakoob Shah&rsquo;s household in Pishin Balochistan, Jameela never fit in at home or at school, as she neither felt comfortable at home with her siblings who had the society&rsquo;s accepted genders of boy and girl and nor at school because her class fellows and school fellows used to mock the way she used to walk and talk. So when an elderly eunuch, Pasham Fakir, offered her a different life, she ultimately yielded and followed him.

Jameela continued to live in what she now describes as &lsquo;sin&rsquo; until May 1970, when one of her elder brothers died while offering resistance to the robbers. &ldquo;This proved to be a turning point in my life after which I started learning the Holy Quran from my neighbor,&rdquo; said Jameela. She told that, &ldquo;my father had two wives: my mother was from a Syed family, while my stepmother was from a non-Syed family,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;My mother died when I was four and my aunt looked after me for two years after which my father sent me to live with my stepmother in Ranchore Lines, Karachi.&rdquo; Jameela&rsquo;s stepmother sent her to an all-girl middle school near their house, but the young eunuch left school when she was in grade three.

After dropping out of school, she helped her stepmother with domestic chores. &ldquo;When I was 10 years old, a eunuch named Pasham Fakir came to our house and asked my mother to hand me over to him but my mother refused.&rdquo; She said that Pasham kept coming back for her and they used to talk outside the house. &ldquo;Then one day I just went with him without telling my mother,&rdquo; she said dolefully. Pasham took Jameela to his house in Garhi Yaseen near Shikarpur and she began her &lsquo;training&rsquo; as a eunuch. &ldquo;I lived with him for three years but I wanted to get away because I didn&rsquo;t like his company,&rdquo; said Jameela. &ldquo;Luckily, the fakir took me to Hazrat Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai&rsquo;s shrine for the annual Urs celebrations, where eunuchs come together from every part of the country.&rdquo; This is where Jameela met her new guru, Fakir Ameer Zadi, also known as Saboo. &ldquo;He looked quite decent so I told him I wanted to go with him,&rdquo; she said. Saboo talked to Pasham and after paying Rs5,000, Saboo adopted Jameela.

Saboo took Jameela to Sukkur, where he lived in a double-storey house in Makrani Muhalla. After sometime with Guru&rsquo;s permission Jameela purchased a house at Takkar Muhalla Sukkur for Rs4,000 in 1970. &ldquo;I knew how to read Urdu, even though I had dropped out of school. One day I was reading the newspaper when I came across news of my elder brother Syed Muhammad Rasool&rsquo;s death,&rdquo; she recalled, her eyes filling up with tears. Rasool used to run a car showroom on Tariq Road, Karachi, and was murdered during a robbery. Jameela said she rushed to Karachi to reunite with her family but they had left with her brother&rsquo;s body for Pishin. &ldquo;His death proved to be a turning point in my life. Afterwards, a neighbour taught me how to read the Holy Quran. With Allah&rsquo;s grace, things just fell into place for me after this.&rdquo;

In 1973, Jameela began teaching Quran to her neighbour&rsquo;s child, four-year-old Aasia. &ldquo;Since she proved to be a brilliant student, other neighbours started sending their children to my house to learn,&rdquo; she said. The number of students grew day by day and went up to 450, who she used to teach in seven different shifts without any charge. &ldquo;I started teaching when I was 32 years old and at that time people used to call me Khala Jameela. Then it became Amma Jameela and with my growing age, people started calling me Nani Jameela&rdquo;, she said. Jameela added that her neighbours have always respected her, irrespective of their age or gender. A student&rsquo;s mother sends Jameela two meals a day and offers to wash and iron her clothes. Since she teaches her students free of charge, their parents give her money and clothes as gifts. Jameela said she was lucky enough to perform Hajj four times and Umrah once. According to her, she had seven siblings, out of which her younger sister died at the age of four, while her six elder brothers died one after the other. &ldquo;My nephews are well settled in Pakistan and abroad and use to send money from time to time, which I spend on the welfare of elderly transgender, besides helping out poor and needy neighbors&rdquo;, she said. She further said that, she also give gifts to her girl students at the time of their marriage. &ldquo;It would be safe for me to say that I have taught the Holy Quran to three generations and will continue till the last day of my life,&rdquo; she says while thanking Almighty Allah for choosing her for this noble cause. 

&ldquo;I teach in groups for an hour each and the children start coming at 10 am until 5:30pm,&rdquo; she said. There is no age limit for female students but Jameela said that she does not take boys older than 10 because she does not believe in intermingling of &ldquo;older boys and girls.&rdquo; &ldquo;Allah created me the way I am, but nowadays being a eunuch has become a profession,&rdquo; she regretted, adding, &ldquo;teenage boys turn into fake eunuchs by taking hormonal injections and this is a big sin.&rdquo; If you meet thousand eunuchs, Jameela added, you will seldom find a real fakir. The most disturbing part in Amma Jameela&rsquo;s story is the girl, whom she adopted at the age of five, brought her up, educated and married her off and so much so that, transferred one of the portions of her two storey house in her name. That girl, after marriage, fraudulently sold the house without even informing Amma Jameela and thus rendered her homeless. However, one of my neighbours provided me space in her house, where I started living, besides teaching the Holy Quran to the children, she told. 

&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know how my nephew come to know about my problem and visited Sukkur, met me and bought me a plot measuring 120 square yards in Mustafa Colony at Bhutta Road Sukkur and constructed ground plus one house and handed it over to me,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;Now, I am living in this house and performing my duty of teaching the Holy Quran to the children but now due to my old age and some ailments I cannot sit for a long time and therefore, have reduced the number of children to 40 and shifts to three only.&rdquo;

&ldquo;One of my neighbours sends me breakfast, lunch and dinner, while the parents of the students, who complete the Holy Quran give me new clothes and money,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;Besides this, if I fall sick, the doctors in the neighborhood visit my house, give me a check up and give medicines free of cost, what else I need in this old age, she asked. Talking about her new house, Amma jameela said that she has officially transferred it to the Edhi Foundation, who will take over it after her death. 

While I was sitting with her, one of her old students Bano came to visit her from Shaheed Benazeerabad along with her three children. Talking about Nanni Jameela she said that, she used to learn the Holy Quran from her in the mid 1990s and was married in 2008 and went to Shaheed Benazeerabad. &ldquo;Nanni Jameela loves every student of hers like a loving and caring mother and I have never seen her become angry with any one&rdquo;, she said adding, &ldquo;I remember clearly Nanni Jameela gave me gift of washing machine on my marriage. Bano handed over a shopping bag full of fruits and some money to Nanni Jameela, which she accepted with thanks. 

Another student Rafia, who is learning the Holy Quran for last four months says, &ldquo;Nanni teaches us with utmost dedication, never scold any students on their repeated mistakes, rather hold them in her arms and repeats the word many times. &ldquo;Now a days Nanni is not feeling well and is under treatment, but still she gives us her full time&rdquo;, she said. Her neighbors including, Noor Mohammad, Ayaz Ali, Khan Mohammad and others when asked about Nanni Jameela they said, &ldquo;she is no less than a blessing for our neighborhood. She is so loving and caring that, our children feel more than safe with her and keep visiting her even after their time is over. She always helps poor and needy without even letting others know.&rdquo;

Yet another student of her, Yousuf Ali is learning the Holy Quran with her for the last six months and is revising it, after completing once. &ldquo;Nani Jameela is very loving and caring and never beats us when we make any mistake, he told. She never gets irritated, even if we keep on asking same word many times,&rdquo; he said. 

Another student Abdul Qayoom has started to learn the Holy Quran couple of days ago. &ldquo;Nanni Jameela is teaching the Holy Quran to my elder sisters and now I have joined them, too,&rdquo; he said. When asked about the number of her students throughout those 45 years, Nanni Jameela said, &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t remember the exact number, but am sure that it might have crossed one hundred thousand and is still going up. I am proud that my students are spread throughout Pakistan and almost all of them keep in touch with me from time to time.&rdquo; 

&nbsp;]]>
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			<title>Police arrest 38 suspects for torturing transgender</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2319641/police-arrest-38-suspects-for-torturing-transgender</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2319641/police-arrest-38-suspects-for-torturing-transgender#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 10 Sep 21 21:07:55 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2319641</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[41 people forcibly entered the house and tortured the transgender person]]>
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				<![CDATA[In the Dhoke Kala Khan area of ​​Rawalpindi, 41 people forcibly entered a house and tortured a transgender for refusing to bend to their demands. Police arrested 38 accused and registered a case on Friday.

According to a spokesperson, the victim called the police emergency helpline 15 that they have been living in a house for ten years and make a living by playing games.

They maintained that Shafiq, Tauseef and Sartaj , among 41 people forced them to commit immoral acts. Due to their refusal, the accused came to their residence armed with weapons and tortured them, they added.

Read&nbsp;Transgender&rsquo;s decomposed body found

Upon receiving the information, City Police Officer (CPO) Ahsan Younas took stern notice and ordered the police authorities to take legal action and arrest the accused.

Police officials transferred the injured transgender to a hospital for medical treatment and arrested 38 accused involved in the incident, registering a case against them.

The CPO said that violence against the transgender community is intolerable. 

The protection of the weak and marginalised sections of society is our priority, he stressed, adding that all accused involved in the violence will be challaned with solid evidence and will be punished.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 11th, 2021.]]>
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			<title>Vocational centres to offer classes to transpeople</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2315957/vocational-centres-to-offer-classes-to-transpeople</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2315957/vocational-centres-to-offer-classes-to-transpeople#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 16 Aug 21 20:48:53 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2315957</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Training focusing on computer literacy, sewing will start on August 20]]>
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				<![CDATA[The Punjab Literacy Department has completed the establishment of vocational training centres for transgender people.

The training focusing on teaching sewing, make-up, and computer literacy will start on August 20. Sources said most of the literacy centres have been set up near brick kilns and in areas where there are no government schools.

These literacy centres were set up to educate the children working at brick kilns or doing menial jobs to earn a livelihood. However, they will now include transgender people too who would be given training at designated centres.

Some 375 literacy centres have been set up across Punjab and five of them have been set up in Rawalpindi for the education and training of transgender persons. There are currently 12,691 enrolled in literacy centres across the province.

These centres have been established in areas including Sadiqabad, People&rsquo;s Colony, and Noorpur Shah Bari Imam, while another two will be set up this month.

Every district in the province will have three to five vocational training centres and they will enrol up to 30 transgender people in each centre, sources told The Express Tribune. They added that the areas with more population of the shemales could have additional enrolment too.

Read&nbsp;Stigma slows vaccinations among transpersons

At literacy centres, the transgender people will be taught to do signatures, basic mathematics, and Urdu and English alphabets. They will complete training as beauticians and they would get soft loans after completing it.

They will also be taught Quran Nazra at the training centres. They will also be trained in computer hardware, electrician skills, and sewing.

Sources added that some 100 literacy centers have separately been set up for the education of children of jail inmates across the district and each of them has 30 students enrolled. Further, the leaders of Shemale Association, including Bubli, Zartash, and Huma, said that equipping transgender with skilled trades is a good initiative.

They said all transgender people completing vocational training should be given easy loans and jobs. The leaders expressed that this would enable the shemales to earn living with dignity.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 17th, 2021.]]>
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			<title>NGO accused of embezzling donations for trans community</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2305906/ngo-accused-of-embezzling-donations-for-trans-community</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2305906/ngo-accused-of-embezzling-donations-for-trans-community#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 17 Jun 21 21:02:08 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Ahtasham Khan]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2305906</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Transgender activist says local NGO doesn’t spend int’l funds on community]]>
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				<![CDATA[Transgender activist Arzoo has accused a local NGO Blue Veins of taking millions of rupees in funds from international donors and embezzling the money instead of spending it on the transgender community.

He blamed that the Blue Veins first established an NGO Trans Action which has no bank account and then Trans Action Alliance was made. These two names were used to get millions of rupees in funds but all the funds went to Blue Veins instead. 

&ldquo;In 2016 I was elected as member Board of Directors (BoG) but never ever invited for a single meeting in all years. Nor was I briefed on any project. Blue Veins is using the transgender name but working on its personal agenda,&rdquo; she said.

She charged that the Blue Veins spent lavishly on government officials by arranging tours for them and that was why no one was talking against it.

She asked international donors to stop funding for Blue Veins and threatened that if action was not taken against the NGO then they would be forced to start a protest against the NGO across the province.

When contacted Chairman Blue Veins Qamar Naseem refuted the impression that they had taken any money from Social Welfare Department in the name of transgender community.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 18h, 2021.]]>
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			<title>Trans woman breaks barriers, sets up tailor shop</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2294428/trans-woman-breaks-barriers-sets-up-tailor-shop</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2294428/trans-woman-breaks-barriers-sets-up-tailor-shop#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 13 Apr 21 04:48:26 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Reuters]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2294428</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Many landlords were reluctant to lease out to a transgender, says Jiya]]>
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				<![CDATA[As transgender woman Jiya measures customers at her tailoring shop in a brand new Karachi market, her eyes gleam with the prospect of a busy Ramazan and her ambitions to expand. Already, Jiya, 35, who goes by a single name like many transpeople in Pakistan, has broken ground by opening a public shop to make clothes for women and transgender women.

Other trans people running tailoring businesses have tended to do so out of their homes, wary of ostracism in a country where khwaja siras are often subjected to discrimination.

Many landlords were reluctant to give a shop to a transgender woman, Jiya told Reuters at The Stitch Shop in the southern port city. She finally secured one in a new market, which she opened with two other trans women in March in time for the start of Ramazan in mid-April.

The holy month is traditionally a busy period for tailors as people buy new clothes for Eidul Fitr celebrations.

For Jiya, who studied at an all-boys school and learned tailoring with the help of fellow trans women, opening her shop marks the start of her ambition.

&quot;We want to expand this business. We want a boutique with Eastern and Western designs, all types of dresses,&quot; she said. Many of her customers are women, who said they preferred that a transgender woman makes their clothes, a change from most other tailoring shops run by men.

&quot;I felt comfortable while she took my measurements,&quot; customer Farzana Zahid said.

Pakistan&#39;s parliament recognised the third gender in 2018, giving trans persons fundamental rights such as the ability to vote and choose their gender on official documents.

A 2017 census recorded about 10,000 transgender people, although trans&#39; rights groups say the number could be well over 300,000 in the country of 220 million.]]>
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			<title>'Juno' actor Elliot Page becomes first trans man to star on Time magazine cover</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2290085/juno-actor-elliot-page-becomes-first-trans-man-to-star-on-time-magazine-cover</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2290085/juno-actor-elliot-page-becomes-first-trans-man-to-star-on-time-magazine-cover#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 18 Mar 21 05:26:57 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Reuters]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[TV]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2290085</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[The actor is also famous from Netflix hit 'The Umbrella Academy']]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Oscar-nominated actor Elliot Page will become the first transgender man to star on the front cover of Time when the magazine&rsquo;s latest edition goes on sale on Friday.

Page, 34, who was nominated for various awards for Oscar-winning 2007 independent film Juno and plays a leading role in the current Netflix hit The Umbrella Academy, announced he was trans in December.

The actor wrote on Instagram at the time that he could not &ldquo;begin to express how remarkable it feels to finally love who I am enough to pursue my authentic self&rdquo;.

Page follows in the footsteps of actor Laverne Cox, who became the first trans woman to appear on the cover of Time, a mark of mainstream media approval, in 2014 under the headline &ldquo;The Transgender Tipping Point&rdquo;.

Since then, trans rights have been the focus of a fierce debate in the United States and around the world.

In 2017, then President Donald Trump announced a ban on trans personnel joining the U.S. military, a ruling subsequently overturned this year by his successor, Joe Biden.

Over the past 12 months, dozens of U.S. states have proposed bills to ban trans women and girls from competing in women&rsquo;s sports, in a move at odds with Biden&rsquo;s push for greater LGBT+ inclusion.

Page told Time he had long felt a disconnect between how the world saw him and how he felt himself.

&quot;I just never recognized myself. For a long time I could not even look at a photo of myself,&quot; he said.]]>
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