Pakistan

Transgender community demands implementation of rights bill

Takes out rally and thanks government for passing a bill for their rights

Asif Mehmood December 29, 2018

Transgender community participate in a cake cutting ceremony to celebrate the approval of their basic rights bill at press club in Lahore. PHOTO: APP

LAHORE: Lauding the government for passing a bill on the rights of transgender persons, the representatives of the transgender community have urged the government to ensure the implementation of the same.

During a press conference held at the Lahore Press Club on Saturday, the representatives of the transgender persons termed it a big success that a bill has been passed. They, along with a large number of people from all walks of life, took out a rally.

Members of the Transgender community address a press conference demanding implementation of the transgender bill of rights at Lahore press club. PHOTO: ONLINE

Speaking on the occasion, Neeli Rana, the leader of the transgender community, said that they have been successful in their struggle. “We are thankful to the government on passing the bill. This is the first time in the history of Pakistan that transgender persons have also been given their rights,” she said.

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She said that it was quite relaxing that now the transgender community has been saved from agitation and are now taking to the streets. “Transgender persons are working in all walk of life including modelling, anchoring and business,” Rana said.

Transgender community carry out a rally on horse buggies to celebrate the passage transgender bill of rights. PHOTO: ONLINE

“Transgender persons do not beg willingly. It is also our right to protest and take to the streets. Now it is the government’s responsibility to implement this bill because in the past, women bill was passed but it has never been practically implemented, said Rana”

Transgender community carry out a rally on horse buggies to celebrate the passage of transgender bill of rights. PHOTO: ONLINE

She also demanded that the killing and harassment of transgender persons should be stopped and the government should allocate job quota for transgender persons.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 30^th, 2018.