Daily Times

PESHAWAR: A group of transgender on Friday demanded (IGP) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police Nasir Khan Durrani to take stern action against the Nowshera Station Police Officer (SHO) for alleged sexual harassment and unjustified imprisonment of their friends.

Speaking at a press conference at Peshawar Press Club, Paro, vice president Trans Action Alliance Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (TAAKP) said that on 14 July Khalid the SHO of the Cantonment Police Station district Nowshera called seven eunuchs into his office and put them behind the bars without any reason. She said that they had expectations from police personnel for protection as transgenders were not regularly victimized but the security forces also disappointed the victim community. “We have been victimised by many segments of the society while even our family members and loved ones not accept us. Where must we go for justice?,” she lamented and alleged that the concerned SHO had made them danc and forcibly taken off their shorts.

“My parents must have committed some sin, that’s why Allah Almighty created me as transvestite as punishment and dishonour to them,” one trangender said. She also shared her grievances about other people harassing them. They asked the police to arrest those transvestites who spread vulgarity and provide protection to those who earn livelihood by sharing their performances during wedding functions.

Qamar Naseem, a social activist and a highly supportive of transvestite’s rights, said the eunuchs were also part of the society and had equal rights like other civilians but unfortunately they were considered third class citizens in the country. He asked the Pakistan Tehrek-e-Insaf (PTI) government to protect transgender individuals from abuse and violence and also investigate allegations levelled against police officials.