Trans activists reject FSC’s judgment

Community leaders claim court gave verdict under pressure from rightwingers

KARACHI:

The transgender community has strongly criticised Friday's decision of the Federal Shariah Court regarding some clauses of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2018 which, according to them, has undermined both science and the dignity of the trans people.

While speaking at a news conference at the Karachi Press Club on Saturday, leading trans activists, including Bindiya Rana, Shehzadi Rai, Mehrab Moeez Awan, Hina Baloch, and Sara Malkani, expressed their concerns over the FSC decision.

The press conference came a day after the FSC declared that certain sections of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2018 are going against Shariah and reportedly against the teaching of Islam as laid down in the Holy Quran and Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (PBUH).

Rai expressed disappointment at the decision, stating that it was made under pressure and has raised two significant issues: self-gender determination and property rights.

Rana firmly rejected the FSC verdict and emphasised that the entire trans community strongly opposes it. She questioned the FSC judges if anyone could obtain an identity card simply by going through a five-member medical board. Bindiya Rana also highlighted the lack of trans representation in the Senate, National Assembly, and provincial assemblies, as well as the absence of separate facilities for trans persons in hospitals.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 21^st, 2023.