In Pakistan’s bustling city of Karachi, members of the transgender community and civil society groups rallied on Thursday to protest the brutal murders of three transgender individuals. They’re not backing down—these demonstrators vow to keep marching until police arrest the killers and deliver justice for the victims.
One key rally unfolded outside the Karachi Press Club, organized under the banner “Justice for the Khwaja Sira Community.” Transgender leaders like Chandni Shah, Sarah Gul, Advocate Nisha Rao, Kami Choudhry, and Bandia Rana joined forces with supporters from the Awami Workers Party. The crowd called on Pakistan’s federal and provincial governments to protect transgender lives and punish those responsible for the attacks, according to reports from The Express Tribune.
Bandia Rana, chair of the Gender Identity Act (GIA) group, explained that these protests shine a light on deep-rooted problems. “Targeted killings of transgender people keep happening,” she told reporters. She pointed out similar rallies in cities like Hyderabad and Sukkur over recent deaths. Rana highlighted the daily struggles: many in the community face joblessness and exclusion from government roles, pushing some into begging just to survive. They lack basic services too, and false rumors spread by troublemakers only make things worse for transgender rights in Pakistan.
This isn’t the first time voices have risen. Just last month, the transgender community staged a massive demonstration against surging violence, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Farzana Riaz, president of Trans Action Alliance, and Madam Arzoo Khan, executive director of Manzil Foundation, led the charge outside the Mardan Press Club. They slammed police for failing to shield the community from harm.
After the rally, Farzana shared stark numbers with reporters: “Since 2015, 158 transgender people have been killed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and not one case has seen real justice.” Shootings on the community are now almost routine, she added, blaming government inaction on transgender protection in Pakistan. Leaders also accused police of treating transgender individuals with disdain, viewing any contact as undignified.
The group urged human rights organizations to step up and amplify their fight against injustice, making the push for transgender safety in Pakistan louder and stronger.
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