Despite over 150 killings, rising violence, justice eludes transgenders in KP

By Zahid Gishkori, Mujahid Hussain and Abobakar Khan

ISLAMABAD:  Newly surfaced record has cast a stark light on the dire plight of transgender persons across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including in Peshawar, with the killing of over 150 trans individuals in the past five years. Despite the disturbing frequency of these attacks, only one perpetrator has been convicted and handed a prison sentence — a mere five years.

Human rights advocates cited the lack of convictions and accountability as some of the factors that contribute to the unrelenting violence against transgender persons.

Police records obtained by Hum Investigates reveal a grim reality for the transgender community in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where targeted attacks continue to surge with each passing day. Between 2019 and July 2024, the region witnessed 310 reported assaults on transgender individuals, with Peshawar alone witnessing over 140 brutal murders — though many cases remain undocumented.

In a chilling escalation, local elders in Mardan recently issued an ultimatum, demanding that transgender residents vacate the city within a month, compounding an atmosphere of pervasive hostility that transgender individuals face across the province.

The transgender community in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is confronting an escalating wave of violence and systematic extortion, as millions of rupees are forcibly extracted from them under the constant threat of brutality. Coupled with social exclusion and a lack of dedicated facilities in public spaces, many transgender individuals remain stigmatized in conservative areas.

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Legal and social hurdles compound these struggles. Although Pakistan passed the Protection of Rights Act in 2018 to safeguard transgender rights, implementation has stalled, leaving many in the community vulnerable. Ayesha Khursheed, a lawyer representing transgender clients, noted that many cases are dismissed due to scarce legal representation, lack of witnesses, or insufficient follow-up.

Identity documentation is yet another obstacle.

NADRA’s introduction of an “X” gender marker has presented challenges, as many transgender individuals face severed family ties, making it difficult to produce the required documents. Without proper ID cards, these individuals are excluded from critical services and rights, perpetuating their economic and social marginalization.

Even in death, transgender individuals face discrimination. Community leader Arzoo Gul shared that she recently paid 50,000 rupees for a religious leader to conduct funeral rites for a transgender person who passed away. “No one is willing to offer us a place, not even in death,” Gul said. Meanwhile, activists like Sobia Khan, who recently contested in elections despite threats, continue to press for their community’s rights, though obstacles are mounting.

Renowned journalist Islam Gul Afridi observed the discrimination that permeates society in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, noting that many transgender individuals are confined to traditional roles in singing and dancing for weddings and events. “Society has yet to accept them as equals,” Afridi said.

Government promises of separate graveyards for the transgender community remain unfulfilled, adding to the sense of exclusion. According to the Social Welfare Department, approximately 2,700 transgender individuals are registered in Peshawar, though the actual number may be higher. Health issues also loom large; stigma keeps many transgender individuals from seeking medical screenings for HIV/AIDS, increasing their vulnerability.

Lacking family and legal support, many transgender individuals in Peshawar are targeted by criminal elements. Advocates are urging the government to implement policies that guarantee transgender rights and provide equal access to healthcare, employment, and societal acceptance.

Nauman Quddus and Tariq Wasim contributed reporting.