In a first, transgender person becomes news anchor in Pakistan

Social media abuzz with reactions as Maavia Malik makes history


News Desk March 24, 2018
Maavia Malik. PHOTO: TWIITER/@ShirazHassan

In a rare occurrence, Kohenoor News -- a private television channel --went on-air on Saturday with a transgender person on the screen as a news anchor.



The news soon went viral on social media with many appreciating the move by the media organisation.



Earlier this month, the Senate passed a key bill to ensure the third gender’s protection against sexual and physical assaults and harassment.

The Criminal Law (Amendment) (Protection of Rights of Transgender Persons) Act 2017 criminalised a host of offences against the transgender persons and provides for awarding stringent punishments to the perpetrators.

In a first, Pakistan to send trans persons as Hajj volunteers

According to the bill, kidnapping, abducting or inducing a transgender person to have illicit intercourse shall be punishable with life imprisonment and fine.

The bill made the denial of the right to admission to an educational institution punishable with up six-month to two-year imprisonment or fine extendable up to Rs300,000.

Depriving a transgender person from inheriting property shall be punished with 5-year to 10-year imprisonment or with a fine of Rs1 million or both.

Unlawful eviction of a transgender person from any place shall be punishable with up six-month to two-year imprisonment or fine up to Rs100,000.

Here are some of the reactions on the transgender person's appearance on-air:













https://twitter.com/Zuhair_PTI/status/977425415034810369

 

COMMENTS (3)

kilo | 5 years ago | Reply I did not feel much difference . Most anchors, particularly female, sound more or less same
Bunny Rabbit | 5 years ago | Reply well done . a good idol to all those who wish to lead dignified honourable lives .
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