Islamabad, April 1: Members of the transgender community in Pakistan’s Faisalabad have expressed concerns over discrimination and the inadequate implementation of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2018. This issue is particularly pressing due to the failure to enforce a three percent job reservation in government and semi-government institutions.
Dr. Fari, a victim support officer at a police service center, stated that despite being highly qualified, transgender individuals continue to face significant challenges in securing stable employment. According to a report by the major Pakistani daily, The Express Tribune, Dr. Fari holds a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree from Faisalabad Agricultural University. Yet, they still struggle to find a job.
While temporarily working at a private dairy farm, Dr. Fari encountered verbal abuse and insensitive remarks from both employers and the public. They reported having applied for jobs in several government departments under the reserved quota but were not selected for any position.
The Express Tribune reported that employees in these sectors earn a monthly salary of 30,000 Pakistani Rupees (PKR), which is below minimum wage standards. In the current inflationary climate, managing household expenses on such a low salary has become extremely difficult.
Dr. Fari emphasized, “In these circumstances, we cannot support our families or live with dignity.” They appealed to the government for permanent employment and fair wages.
Earlier in January, a report highlighted the increasing violence against the transgender community in Pakistan, referencing an attack on transgender rights activist Bindiya Rana. Rana was assaulted at her home while having tea with Zahra Khanjadi, another transgender woman working for the organization Gender Alliance Interactive (GAI), which advocates for transgender rights.
The Guardian, a leading UK daily, quoted Khanjadi stating, “As soon as Rana opened the door from the kitchen using the remote, gunshots rang out within seconds. The assailants fled, and Rana narrowly escaped.” By morning, Rana had filed a formal complaint with the police against the unidentified attackers. As an activist, Khanjadi was well aware of the dangers faced by the transgender community in Pakistan, but she never expected to be targeted in her own home in Karachi.
The shooting incident on January 19 is the latest in a series of brutal attacks and murders against transgender individuals in Pakistan. Previously, a transgender woman named Nadira was attacked with a knife at Karachi’s Sea View Beach after she resisted an inappropriate advance from a man.
The Guardian reported a significant increase in violence against the transgender community in Pakistan. GAI documented 55 murders of transgender individuals in Sindh province between 2022 and September 2025, with 17 of those occurring in Karachi alone.
In several districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, local elders have ordered transgender women to leave the area, claiming that they are corrupting the youth.
My name is Himanshu Tiwari. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including TECHNOLOGY, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
Leave a Comment