ISLAMABAD: During proceedings on Monday in the rights for eunuchs’ case, the Supreme Court directed the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to enlist eunuchs as part of the voters list by contacting them.
A division bench, headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, also directed the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) to expedite the procedure of issuing Computerised National ID cards (CNICs) to eunuchs.
Advocate Aslam Khaki, the attorney representing eunuchs, all provincial advocate generals and President Shemale Foundation Pakistan Almas Bobby appeared before the division bench.
NADRA issues NICs to eunuchs
As per the instructions of the Supreme Court, NADRA has issued computerised NICs to eunuchs, who will be eligible as citizens of Pakistan to cast votes, according to a press release issued by the authority on Monday.
“NADRA centres across the country are already serving eunuchs for registration, which is carried out without any medical proof on their given particulars and details at the time of registration,” said the NADRA spokesman in the statement. He added that as per the Supreme Court’s instructions, third genders can have male transgender, female transgender or “Khunsa-e-mushkil” written on their ID card as per their own will.
However, Almas Bobby told the court, that although NADRA has started issuing national ID cards, eunuchs in rural areas are facing difficulties in obtaining CNICs.
Progress reports
During the last hearing, the apex court had sought a reply from provincial chief secretaries, including the chief commissioner Islamabad, on the subject of innate property rights of eunuchs.
The Punjab government presented its report before the court, stating that 122 eunuchs were transferred their innate properties. The court, however, directed the Punjab government to submit the copies of the transfer.
The Sindh government informed the court that they have allocated a piece of land where a separate colony will be constructed for eunuchs. The court appreciated the Sindh government’s action and asked other provinces to follow suit.
Meanwhile, the court reprimanded the chief secretary of Balochistan for not submitting a report and directed him to appear before the court along with the report at the next date of hearing. Hearing has been adjourned till December 12.
ADDITIONAL INPUT from NEWS DESK
Published in The Express Tribune, November 15th, 2011.
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And why exactly is that? Why can't people treat them just like us, human being. We don't allot separate colonies to Men and women then why is this hypocrisy ... Just treat them fellow citizens and give them full rights to education and jobs .. its not that their mental strenght is less just because their gender. Its time we educate ourselves and others to the problems we have created for all minorities including eunuchs via electronic media instead of treating them inferior. Supreme Court should also direct all Text Book Boards across the country to correct their curriculum where our history books are telling our children how there was a caste system in pre-partition India but fails to mention how there is this fascism in our own society where we treat every other person inferior.
Oh good, so we've moved to Bronze Age now .. just a few more million years before civilisation begins. twiddling thumbs