Disheartened by the abject failure of political parties to ensure representation as well as protection of rights of transgenders, members of the community have now decided to enter electoral politics as a block.

All Pakistan Transgender Election Network (Apten), comprising members of smaller groups working for transgender rights in the provinces, not only announced to field 13 candidates in the upcoming election but also said it would form its own political party.

The party would be the first of its kind in the country with its top leadership coming from among the five million transgender persons residing in Pakistan.

The group has not only announced its plans for contesting elections today but also given out a long charter of demands, including an end to violence and removal of legal hindrances, among others.

Read here about their charter of demands.