Trans people say will contest upcoming polls

Community leaders say they will field candidates for both national and provincial seats

KARACHI:

Transgender community leaders have announced that they would field candidates for provincial and national assemblies in the upcoming general elections.

While speaking at a press conference at the Karachi Press Club on Friday, the community leaders, including Bindia Rana, Dr Meereb Awan, and Shehzadi Rai, also said that they would organise a Moorat March at Frere Hall on Nov 19 to voice their demands, including concerns about the absence of inheritance rights.

Shehzadi Rai highlighted that many trans persons face violence in the name of honour, dissuading them from seeking a share in the property. In such cases, if a eunuch dares to claim inheritance, their own brother allegedly resorts to physical abuse, with parents pardoning him under the diyat law.

The leaders claimed that the right to identity is denied to them, and they are excluded from government job opportunities. They called for an end to policies that disrespect the trans persons, citing instances of violence and lack of justice in many cases. The leaders urged the government to eliminate discriminatory practices against trans people from the law.

Addressing the Sindh government, they questioned the implementation of the announced quota, stating that no trans person has secured a government job despite the quota. Moreover, landlords are reluctant to provide housing, and when they do, it comes at exorbitant prices.

Bindia Rana pointed out that NADRA has ceased issuing ‘X’ identity cards, asserting that lack of an identity card implies a denial of Pakistani citizenship.

Dr Meerab announced that the Moorat March will be organised at Frere Hall on Nov 19, from 3pm to 6pm, where they will voice their demands for recognition and respect. They called on everyone to participate in the march, emphasising that the event is not only for the transgender community but also for the broader public.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, November 18^th, 2023.