ISLAMABAD: The process for registration of the transgender community in the Benazir Kafalat programme being executed under the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) continues across the country.

The decision of including the transgender community in the Benazir Kafalat programme had been taken for the first time in history in view of the social and economic hardships they face.

According to the National Socio-Economic Register (NSER) survey carried out by the BISP, the total number of transgender persons is 53,800.

Despite their limited number, the community is denied their basic rights and has been facing various challenges.

Shazia Marri says the community has been included in the programme for the first time

The transgender community is constrained to rely on begging, which is their main source of livelihood or they get associated with a profession that is scorned upon.

Bajo and Sumera, who are transgender persons, said some people close their doors when we come around in the streets and others push us away.

Saba said: “I am thankful to the BISP that they thought of us and included us in Benazir Kafalat initiative. No one has ever thought about us.”

Due to the unacceptable behaviour of the society, the transgender community is compelled to live a miserable life, below the poverty line. Collective efforts are needed at all levels to enable this community to live a dignified life.

The objective of BISP is to provide financial support to people living below the poverty line as around nine million families are being provided a stipend of Rs7,000 every quarter.

According to the Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Shazia Marri, this is the first time that the government has decided to include the transgender community in the Benazir Income Support Programme therefore the transgender community is requested to get their CNICs from Nadra and register themselves at the BISP tehsil office.

After successful registration, they will receive a message from 8171 after which an amount of Rs7,000 will be paid to them.

In general, the families have to be below a certain threshold of PMT score as per the NSER survey for eligibility for Benazir Kafalat Programme but keeping in view the economic conditions of the transgender community, this condition has been waived off.

According to the BISP, transgender persons who do not have an identity card must go to the Nadra office and obtain their CNICs.

They have to take this card and then go to any office of BISP, get themselves assessed and apply for financial help.

They have to wait for an SMS from 8171 that will guide them about where and how to receive the money.

Published in Dawn, February 6th, 2023