A school for Transgender people
In 2017, Pakistan’s first school for transgenders was opened in Okara city, Punjab province. Talking to Gulf News, the founder of the school, Nayyab Ali, said, ‘Currently, 35 students are enrolled at the school receiving secondary level education.’ Ali, who is the CEO of Punjab Transgender Foundation and has a degree in botany, believes that the stereotype image of trans people will change gradually as they reclaim spaces. ‘It was an uphill challenge to even get the building for the school but now we have the support of community people.’
Although trans people face discrimination when it comes to health, education and jobs, technically, enjoy better rights in Pakistan than in many countries. The Supreme Court ruled in 2009 that hijras could get national identity cards as a ‘third sex’ and in 2017, the government issued its first passport with a transgender category. Pakistan also announced that transgender persons will be part of a team of 150 boy scouts being sent to Saudi Arabia to serve as volunteers during the Haj 2018.
Five hijras stood as political candidates in 2013 Pakistan General Elections. Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill 2017 has also been announced to empower them with due rights and provide welfare. “The government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is taking the lead by securing legal rights, providing health cards, issued drivers’ licences to transgender people and by providing them skills and training’ said Qamar Naseem. In recent years, Pakistan’s transgender community have made headlines as the first trans supermodel Kami Sid, first transgender lecturer Aisha Mughal and trans film actress Zara Changezi emerged from the shadows. ‘We can become anything — doctors, engineers, teachers,’ says model Kami Sid.