Daily Times

KHAIRPUR: Marvi Rural Development Organization (MRDO) on Wednesday organised a consultative session titled “Mapping Status and Challenges of sustainable development goals (SDG) 16.3” in collaboration with TABEER – Consolidating Democracy in Pakistan (CDIP) implemented by DAI Pakistan (Pvt) Ltd.

The session was held at a local hotel in Sukkur in which transgender community, excluded groups and minorities participated. The session aimed to address and outline the issues comprehensively regarding the implementation of SDG 16.3 (Rule of Law) within Sindh province.

Meanwhile, the transgender community expressed grave concerns over the respect and rights it possesses in Pakistan. “Due to controversies and narrow-minded individuals, the subject of transgender rights is not even addressed in sophisticated circles, and most people do not even consider them as part of their community,” the transgender community representatives remarked while adding that the community deserves equal rights and opportunities including education.

The MRDO CEO Ghulam Sughra said that transgender community is considered a sign of shame and disgrace in Pakistani culture. Most of them never get a chance to acquire education due to discriminatory attitude of fellow citizens. There are several other issues being faced by transgender community in Pakistan.

“The government has not allocated any aid or support for them,” she said while adding that incase of criminal victimisation or sexual harassment, the transgender individuals get no help or support from the community as well.

“In 2012, they were granted several rights including their registration as third gender on CNICs, equal job opportunities, free education and healthcare and inheritance in property, however these rights were not implemented in their true spirit and essence, and were confined to documents only,” the representatives further said adding that provincial welfare departments have yet to implement the granted rights. “Pakistan contains a diverse society where minorities face threats from religious extremists and society’s outdated customs and traditions. Minorities should be guaranteed equal rights, security and opportunities, but sadly lawmakers and law enforcement agencies have not taken any appropriate measures to ensure that these rights are ‘practically’ implemented.

Meanwhile, persons with disabilities (PWDs) urged the government and political parties to formulate a law for the electoral rights of PWDs to integrate them into national mainstream, and ensure a supportive environment for them in politics and electoral process.

The session emphasised that special seats should be allocated in national, provincial and local government system for PWDs.

MRDO Program Manager Salman Ali said, “The rule of law requires balance between rights and responsibilities, where no one is above the law. The constitution of Pakistan guarantees fundamental rights of every individual and everyone must have access to justice. Delayed justice erodes the public’s confidence in the system.”

He further stressed that Articles 8 to 28 of the Constitution specifically protects fundamental rights of all citizens of Pakistan including minorities.

Meanwhile, Altaf Soomro said that such an initiative planned at grass-roots level, has been proposed, developed and organised for the first time in Sindh province. The key stakeholders would brainstorm and analyse the loopholes and inconsistency within the proposed system to formulate recommendations for uplifting the democratic process in the country, and that would cause rule of law to be actually implemented in its true spirit and essence.

Thereby, development and progress would be promoted, citizens’ rights would be protected eradicating discrimination, and equitable access to justice would be ensured.

Published in Daily Times, June 14^th 2018.