Daily Times

Sir: As one of the most oppressed communities in the world, transgender individuals suffer from intense personal stigmatisation and institutional discrimination in practically all aspects of their lives. Transphobic violence and transgender-abuse are common in Pakistan. Pakistani transgender persons face sexual abuse, violence and brutality on a daily basis.

Recently, a transgender resident of Lahore’s Bhatta Chowk area was stabbed to death and murdered at her home. She went missing and was found dead the following day at her home’s bathroom. The transgender community states that they are molested, assaulted and are treated unequally. Pamphlets can be observed all over Karachi stating that presence of transgender people should not be allowed at prayers and holy places and they should be killed. People say that transgenders can only sing and dance. I wonder who came up with this spiral of degradation. They are not considered equal and forced to live in a segregated society with their own kind in extreme poverty. Most transgenders are illiterate, as the notion of a transgender receiving education is considered unreal.

The nation needs to realise that this is not merely a war that these individuals have to fight. They are human beings, just like us, and deserve a right to good education, good job opportunities and fair and equal treatment as any other normal member of the community.

The Constitution does not explicitly make mention of sexual orientation or gender identity in any case. It does contain certain provisions that may impact the constitutional rights of Pakistani citizens but they should be provided justice and every right as a citizen of the country. Such incidents will not end unless there is a general sense of respect and acceptance for the transgenic community. Assuring their rights and protection are more important than counting them in a census. It is more important that people involved in abusing and killing transgenders are severely punished so that their lives are not taken for granted. They should be treated equally with mutual respect because they deserve it as every next citizen of country.

SANA ALI BHUTTO

Karachi