SC wants update on property rights for eunuchs

DCOs have taken steps for transferring property in their names.

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court has asked provincial chief secretaries and chief commissioner Islamabad to update the court on steps taken to ensure eunuchs receive their share in the inheritance.

A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry said eunuchs were a part of society and they could not be deprived of their inheritance.

The court had earlier directed that eunuchs be included in the mainstream and provided with jobs. Director social welfare Punjab informed the court that district coordination officers have taken concrete steps in all four provinces to transfer property to eunuchs.

A Sindh government’s representative informed the court that eunuchs were asked to assist in polio and hepatitis eradication campaigns in the province.

Director National Database and Registration Authority  (NADRA) informed the court that eunuchs were being given jobs in NADRA and there were still two vacancies since they could not find enough matriculates. The chief justice asked President Shemale Foundation Almas Bobby, a petitioner in the case, to convince eunuchs to get an education to command respect in society.

He said the constitution protects the life and property of eunuchs and their rights should be acknowledged. “It is the responsibility of the government to provide them protection.” Later, the court adjourned the case till November 14.

After the hearing, Bobby interacted briefly with the media. She said eunuchs should be classified as male on identity-conferring documents. “As our gender is not mentioned on national identity cards, we are deprived of permanent jobs.”  President Awami National Party Sindh, Shahi Syed has offered her
a party ticket to contest
elections from Rawalpindi, she said.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 13^th, 2011.