I am male, not transgender or woman but stop using either as an insult: Hazim Bangwar

Singer Hazim Bangwar has become the talk of the town since being appointed as the new assistant commissioner of North Nazimbad, Karachi. The 29-year-old's photos have been going viral for all the wrong reasons. Many have been calling him out for "imitating women" because of his effeminacy and unique fashion sense, while others have been classifying him as "transgender" or "female".

A lot of people have also been sharing an alleged screenshot of a Twitter post supposedly made by Hazim in August, 2018, that features a rainbow flag with the tweet, "Happy Pride Month". Hazim has assured that the post is "fake". No such tweet can be found on Hazim's official Twitter handle either.

In a recent address in response to the accusations and trolls, Hazim has said, "There are some misconceptions and misunderstandings that I would like to clear. Never have I ever held any colourful flag, neither have I ever posted a picture holding it -- that's fake, that's not true. Never have I associated myself with any organisation either."

Shared by journalist Rai Saqib Kharal on his Twitter, Hazim, in his address adds, "About those calling me a transgender... I am not a transgender, I am male. I am not a woman, I'm a male. However, these speculations were a bit offensive. Not for me, personally. But the fact that these people were calling me a woman, and using it as an insult, that is offen to mothers, sisters, working women, female officers."

He added, "They're constantly reinforce the stereotype that being a woman, is bad. I am not a woman so this does not affect me personally. But what are you promoting? That being a woman is bad? Or being a third gender is bad? That is completely unfair. And I would say it is offensive. I feel offended on behalf of the women and the transgender community."

According to his website, Hazim completed his defree in Fashion Design and Marketing from AIU, London and then pursued an LLB from a university in London. A music and fashion buff, he has worked with the likes of Jessie J, Future, Ciara, Juelz, T-Pain, Jason Derulo, and Nicki Minaj.

In 2019, he released his first single Haram, which received wide acclaim in South Korea, Hungary, Egypt, and India. He released his first Urdu song, Tujhko Bhulaya, in 2021, which has over 75,000 views on YouTube so far.

On the welfare front, one of Hazim's projects also includes his foundation, HBF, which aims to provide funds to education, environmental and animal welfare, and emergency response programs in Pakistan. Bangwar has also worked for and supported numerous local and international non-profit organisations, such as WWF, SOS, Oceana, Amnesty International, Dar Ul Sakoon, Project Aware, and PETA.

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