ONE out of 50 children is identified as transgender in Pakistan. The 21st century is the age of modern technology and liberal perception. Man’s development in every aspect of life is unexampled. Unfortunately, the same era witnesses transgender inequality. These deprived spirits are forced to earn money by singing, dancing and illegal activities. A research report says two per cent of our population is transgender.

Besides, after a long battle, in 2009 the Supreme Court ordered the inclusion of a separate column for them in the Computerised National Identity Card. Unluckily, still 80 per cent of transgender people’s CNICs are under process. This is because of their father’s name, which is the requirement of Nadra. Trans people claim that their families abandoned them. They do not know their fathers.

Similarly, social discrimination, unfair behaviour of the police, ineffective education and lack of political voice are important factors for transgender disparity. Moreover, sexual harassment, fewer jobs, no representation in parliament and no right to cast vote have kept them deprived.

To shape the future of these people, society must come out of its narrow-mindedness and handle the problem by practical means like giving them political representation, an appropriate quota system, proper law-enforcement, as well as social and mass awareness.

Abdul Rauf

Rawlpindi

Published in Dawn, February 18th, 2018