Neglected group: Special cards, security to be provided to transgenders

Asked to leave functions by midnight for their own security.

PESHAWAR:

The district government plans to issue special cards, and provide additional security to the transgender community, said Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s (K-P) Minister for Social Welfare Sitara Ayaz during a meeting with a delegation of the K-P Shemale Association on Friday.

The delegation apprised the minister of their problems, and the difficulties they face in obtaining computerised national identity cards (CNIC).

The minister said they have been receiving complaints of sexual harassment from the transgender community, adding that in case of harassment, the victims should register their complaints with the district government.

Meanwhile, District Coordination Officer Siraj Ahmad Khan directed the transgendered to leave any function they are attending by midnight, for their own security.

Additionally, he asked them to inform the relevant police station if they go out, saying that the concerned police station would provide them with security.  He added though that the government will not bear responsibility for their security if they fail to leave the events by midnight.

Identity issue

“Our basic problem is not getting the CNICs,” said the she-male association president, Farzana, while speaking to The Express Tribune.

She said they have been visiting the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) office for the last three months in order to obtain a CNIC, but failed each time.

“The authorities ask us to mention our father’s name in the paternity column of the form, knowing that we don’t know our parents,” she said.

“We want to include our guru’s name in the paternity column,” she added, reiterating a long-standing demand of the community.

Farzana said that they would not apply for their CNICs if the ill-treatment continued.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 28^th, 2012.