In Pakistan, the transgender community has long struggled for recognition, protection and fundamental human rights, including the right to identification, education, employment, and housing. However, till date, non-binary people remain deprived of dignified living.
All across the country, the transgender community is often viewed with an eye of suspicion. While some associate them with immoral or obscene activities others accuse them of indulging in sex work. Thanks to such prejudices, transgender persons seeking access to safe housing are either openly denied by landlords or are given living spaces under extremely strict conditions, including exorbitant rents.
Although the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2018 claims to grant equal rights to transgender people, the reality on the ground is quite the opposite. With a poor implementation of laws, police indifference and difficulties in accessing the justice system deprive transgender people of their legal rights especially in cases where they are evicted or harassed by tenants and neighbours. The majority have no effective means of legal redress.
According to the United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner (OHCHR) the transgender community in Pakistan faces widespread discrimination and stigma in accessing housing, health, education, employment, and even bathroom facilities. This is largely attributed to a lack of recognition of their gender identity.
Culture of exclusion
Even today, the transgender community continues to be the butt of jokes in comedy shows, stage performances and even colloquial humour. While outwardly appearing harmless, such demeaning attitudes inform ideas which not only seek to objectify and otherize non-binary people but also serve to covertly justify their mistreatment.
Such mistreatment is one major reason why many transgender persons struggle to access safe and affordable housing across the country. Take the case of Khushboo, a transwoman from Lahore, who had hoped to find a place of her own. “I was able to get a flat on rent in Model Town. After presenting multiple references and agreeing to pay double the rent, my partner and I moved to our new home. However, our peaceful days did not last long since the neighbours made our life miserable. They used to forbid their children, especially girls, from talking to us while hurling inappropriate words. Eventually, I had to leave the flat and move in with my guru again,” shared Khushboo.
Similarly, Aleena Ahmed, a transwoman from Karachi, revealed that since childhood she had been subjected to persistent bullying and ridicule, which forced her to leave her home and start living in a communal arrangement with other transgender people. “When we want to rent a flat, landlords in decent residential areas are often reluctant since they fear damage to their reputation. Even if a landlord agrees to rent out a flat, neighbours often start spreading negative rumours about us. As a result, many transgender people are forced to live in slums,” lamented Aleena, who further revealed that she and her friends paid a monthly rent of Rs6,000 for a makeshift house in a slum.
Sundri Begum, the leader of a transgender community in Karachi, stressed on the need for the government to provide decent housing arrangements for transgender people. “Even in low-income areas like Mehmoodabad, Akhtar Colony, the slums of Clifton, and Shireen Jinnah Colony, transgender people often face difficulties in finding individual housing hence they live together in rented houses, flats, or portions. Even when they do find a place, they are charged double the normal rent,” claimed Sundri, whose group pays Rs25,000 per month for a two-room portion.
“In some cases, landlords deliberately charge higher rents to trans persons. Even if a transgender person succeeds in settling in an area, other residents object to their presence. They are harassed, or put under moral pressure to leave the area. Sometimes, such behaviour takes the form of violence or collective social boycotts,” added Zanaya Chaudhary, a trans rights activist from Lahore.
Up north in Peshawar, Mahi Gul, a transwoman confirmed the discriminatory rentals many landlords demanded from trans tenants. “A house rented to locals for Rs10,000 is not available to trans persons for less than Rs30,000. Transgender people invest heavily in decorating their homes, including installing cupboards, woodwork, and even makeup rooms. With Rs30,000 going in rent, apart from electricity and gas bills, and other expenses, how are we supposed to survive?” questioned Gul.
Manzoor, a property dealer from the inner-city of Peshawar revealed that due to the recent economic downturn, property business had declined. “With Afghan refugees returning to their homeland, there is little business hence we now rely on commissions from transgender clients to sustain our livelihoods. It is true that we charge transgender people double the rent because local residents object to us renting homes to them. Therefore, we often rent out houses under our own CNICs, which helps us earn higher commissions,” confessed Manzoor.
Similarly, a property agent operating in Liaquatabad told The Express Tribune that renting out houses or apartments to members of the transgender community was challenging primarily due to objections and complaints made from neighbours. “In addition, transgender citizens often lack identification documents, making police verification difficult,” noted the agent.
Identification, education and employment
While demeaning attitudes can partly explain complications in accessing safe housing, the broader issue of the transgender community’s social exclusion has its roots in the difficulties associated with obtaining legal identification documents, education and employment.
During various discussions with trans persons across the country, the correspondents reported that many members of the otherized gender did not even possess their national identity cards let alone other legal documents required for renting out a house. Due to the lack of necessary documentation for tenancy agreements or electricity and gas connections, many faced difficulties in getting accommodation.
Furthermore, even when some trans persons were able to obtain their CNIC’s, many avoided identifying their gender as “X” on their ID cards, mainly out of fear, family pressure and social stigma. In an extreme incident, a transwoman from Charsadda was murdered by her family after she added the “X” gender on her CNIC.
Reflecting on such hazards, a transwoman who moved from Karachi to Peshawar revealed that her parents allowed her to perform at functions and even live separately. However, when it came to mentioning “X” as my gender on my CNIC, my family openly refused since they feared people would label me as a 'Hijra'. Therefore, I could not get my ID card. If I obtain the card, I lose my family; if I don’t, the government refuses to offer me any support,” she regretted.
Seconding the plight of trans persons, Mahi Gul, who resides in a rented house in Peshawar’s inner-city, recalled her experience with house hunting, societal attitudes, and property owners. “Every human seeks peace, and for that, one needs a small, private home. With that thought, I rented a house. However, 90 per cent of transgender people don't have the “X” category CNIC reserved for the transgender community. As a result, they either have to use their guru’s name or rely on a third party to rent a house,” explained Gul.
Expanding on the problem, Zanaya Chaudhary felt that lack of access to good education and stable employment also prevented many trans persons from renting out decent living spaces. “Most transgender people are unable to earn a stable income due to a lack of education, employment, and skills. Due to financial constraints, they cannot afford living in safe apartments,” said Chaudhary, who herself never faced any difficulty renting out an apartment since due to her education, her lifestyle and speech were different from most transwomen.
Sania Abbasi, a transwoman working as a beautician also supported Chaudhary's point. “The majority of trans people have trouble getting a single flat or house on rent due to their lifestyle and habits. Since I work as a beautician, I have not faced much trouble finding decent accommodation,” shared Abbasi, who has been living in a single flat in a posh area in Lahore since many years.
Concurring with Abbasi, Dr Nasreen Aslam Shah, Former Professor at the University of Karachi's Department of Social Work, maintained that although the transgender community was a part of society, they often lacked jobs or skills, forcing many to beg. “Therefore, the government should initiate housing and welfare programs to address their issues,” said Dr Shah.
Between disease and death
As a result of their systemic exclusion, the marginalization facing the transgender community can quickly escalate from a simple refusal of housing to an outright threat of violence, forcing many to live their lives in filth and fear.
The Express Tribune spoke to various property dealers across three areas of Peshawar where the transgender community is concentrated. Areas like Dilzak Road, Gulbahar, and Yakatoot have around 20 plazas where transgender individuals live in shared rooms, paying rent between Rs10,000 to Rs15,000 for a single room.
A transgender resident of one such plaza, revealed on the condition of anonymity, that the majority of living spaces occupied by the transgender community were dirty, unhygienic, and violated basic health standards. "These crowded and dark spaces contribute to the spread of serious illnesses such as Hepatitis, AIDS, and tuberculosis,” revealed the resident.
According to Farzana Khan, President of the Transgender Association K-P, only six to 10 per cent of the transgender community live alone in a rented house, with the majority living in groups of six to eight in one rental home. “Transgender individuals are not even provided assistance when it comes to registering a rental house. Landlords only agree to rent out a place if they are offered triple the regular rent. In rural areas, if a transgender person tries to rent a house, the entire village and local council (panchayat) intervenes. If they do not vacate immediately, they receive death threats. Hence, transgender people are compelled to live in rented houses or plazas within city limits,” explained Jan.
While unsafe living arrangements risk turning into the hotbeds of disease, an alarming culture of targeted violence against the transgender community only adds to their marginalization. For instance, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa has recorded the highest number of transgender killings in the country over the past few years. According to the Transgender Association of K-P, 126 transgender individuals have been murdered in the province over the past five years, while more than a thousand others have been victims of gun violence. Unfortunately, none of the perpetrators have received a major punishment.
K-P’s Minister for Social Welfare, Qasim Ali Shah, conceded that the demands of the transgender community were valid. “Unless transgender individuals are officially registered, it would be difficult to allocate quotas and provide funds to them in the same way as other communities,” said Shah, while speaking of K-P, where only 163 trans persons are registered.
According to information obtained by The Express Tribune, during the past 13 years of PTI's government, very few of the promises made to the transgender community including provisions for a separate hospital ward and beds, an endowment fund and special desks at police stations were fulfilled. Hence, the transgender community in K-P feels alienated not only by society but also by the government and has announced a sit-in protest in front of the KP Assembly in the coming days.
On the other hand, the Punjab government has started the Apni Chhat Apna Ghar Program, under which citizens are being given loans of up to Rs1.5 million to build a house. This loan will have to be repaid in five to seven years. “Any citizen of Punjab, including transgender persons, can take a loan to build their own house under this scheme,” said a spokesperson for the Punjab Housing and Town Planning Agency.
Similarly, Advisor to the Chief Minister of Sindh, Waqar Mehdi, assured that the government was working to resolve the problems facing the transgender community.