The most oppressed and deprived segment of the society and subjected to humiliation and molestation is transgenders or commonly called “Hijra”. They have been ostracized by the society for no faults of theirs.They are generally seen dancing or begging on streets. It has been said that their prayers are answered soon and we have been taught to never abuse them by our elders.

Islamic jurist Dr Mohammad Aslam Khaki researched on the conditions of the ignominious merrymakers had filed the petition in Supreme Court for the welfare of the transvestites which turns in favor of them. During the proceedings, Roop and Shazia along with their community representatives appeared before the court to narrate harrowing details of abuse they receive from the society, police and gangsters mainly because of their weak financial conditions, especially when their fathers and brothers did not accept them as family members.

The Supreme Court has ordered that transvestites, being equal citizens of Pakistan, should also benefit from the federal and provincial governments’ financial support schemes such as the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP).

Our Responsibility:

Being a welfare state it was the responsibility of the government to look after this community. Responsibility also lies on the shoulders of society. People should start respecting them and try to accept them as a valuable part of our society. They should be provided with equal educational and employment opportunities in which they are extremely neglected till now. They can be good at various social welfare services like nursing, health workers, sales person or even home makers. If they get oppurtunities or jobs they will be  a part of growing economy. NGO’s and social welfare organizations should step ahead not only for their financial support but moral support also. Let them be a Proud Pakistani and a helpful one.

Dawn editorial on the topic:

IN a country where the rights of citizens are abused routinely, the importance of the recent Supreme Court decree that the federal and provincial governments take steps to protect the rights of transvestites is welcome. Discriminated against by virtually every section of society, this group of people is separated from the mainstream because of a backward societal mindset and lack of awareness about physical and emotional gender-related conditions -

There is also a need to address the educational and vocational training requirements of this section of the citizenry. An awareness campaign is just as crucial if societal attitudes are to be changed.