KP police raid on transgenders music party, 226 arrested

SWABI: In a major operation, the Swabi District Police conducted a raid on a music event attended by members of the transgender community and others, arresting 226 individuals. The raid was carried out following public complaints and intelligence reports, according to Swabi District Police officials.

The operation was conducted under the direct supervision of DSP Swabi City Circle Ijaz Abazai, along with Swabi SHO Syedul Amin Khan, Zaida SHO Farooq Khan, and Topi SHO Naeem Khan. Police officials said the event, which drew participants from various distant districts, allegedly involved “immoral activity” and violated public order laws.

Also read: No evidence, no case: Lahore Court acquits transgender persons in party raid

According to the police, attendees resisted the raid, but law enforcement acted swiftly and in coordination to bring the situation under control. The detained individuals, including several from the transgender community, were arrested on the spot and presented before the court.

Authorities registered multiple cases under sections 149, 148, 294, 506, 186, 34, 3/4 of the Arms Act, 15AA, and the Loudspeaker Act.

District Police Officer (DPO) Swabi Ziauddin Ahmed said that the police will not tolerate gatherings that allegedly promote “obscenity or social unrest.” He reiterated that a zero-tolerance policy is being enforced.

Security measures have since been increased in the area, with enhanced snap-checking, blockades, and surveillance now in place. Police say these steps are aimed at preventing similar events in the future.

VIOLENCE AGAINST TRANSGENDERS CONTINUE TO RISE

Meanwhile, the transgender community in KP continues to face deadly violence. Last month, a transgender person, named Asady, was killed in the Tehkal area of Peshawar. The victim, identified as Taj Muhammad alias ‘Asady’, aged around 32 to 33 years, and was the eighth transgender person to have been killed this year, in the province.

Asady was shot dead by unidentified assailants in her home. According to reports, the victim sustained multiple gunshot wounds to her upper body and head, which proved fatal. A First Information Report (FIR) was registered the same day at the Tehkal Police Station under Section 302 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), with the complainant being Asady’s brother Bahadur Khan.

Also read: Father kills son over friendship with transgender persons

Even in other parts of the country, the violence against the transgender community continues unabated. In July, a father murdered his 21-year-old son for maintaining friendships with members of the transgender community in Orangi Town Karachi.