PESHAWAR: Peshawar High Court on Tuesday again sought detailed report from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa inspector general of police (IGP) regarding ‘miseries’ faced by transgender persons in the province and steps taken by the government and police for their protection.

A bench consisting of Justice Sahibzada Asadullah and Justice Inamullah Khan was hearing a petition that challenged alleged harassment of transgender persons in the province by police, including backing of hate campaign and protests against them and attempts to expel them from different districts.

The petition is jointly filed by Transaction Alliance president Farzana Riaz and 25 other transgender persons against certain actions of police, different organisations and people. The petitioners requested the court to declare illegal and unconstitutional the actions of respondents, including district police officers of Swabi, Dera Ismail Khan, Bannu, Buner, Malakand and Nowshera.

They sought directives of the court for respondents to immediately cease all forms of harassment against transgender persons across KP. They also requested the court to issue guidelines for protection of the rights of transgender persons including right to work, reside and participate in cultural and social life without any interference.

Petitioners seek court orders to end harassment against them

They also sought interim relief, requesting the court to restrain respondents from harassing and expulsion of petitioners from relevant districts including Nowshera until final disposal of the petition.

During previous hearing on Oct 14, the court had given stern warning to police department, directing its inspector legal, Aftab Jehan, to positively submit the report before the next hearing.

The bench had pointed out that it was not an ordinary matter in which adjournments might be sought or granted as a matter of routine.

The bench had pointed out that the petition concerned the life, liberty and security of the most neglected segments of society that not only fell within legal obligation of the court, but also constituted a constitutional and moral duty of police department to ensure their protection and facilitate their rights to live a dignified and peaceful life.

As the required report had not been filed, the bench again issued order for its submission.

Advocate Imran Khan appeared for the petitioners and said that transgender persons primarily earned their livelihood by performing at weddings or celebrations, which was a lawful profession.

He argued that the prohibition imposed by police on attending such functions in different districts was a violation of their right to enter into any lawful trade or profession guaranteed by Article 18 of the Constitution.

The bench observed that the issue was not only related to ban on dance parties and it wanted to decide the matter after hearing about the reservations of respondents including police department.

The lawyer said that five of the petitioners belonged to Swabi and they had been subjected to a targeted hate campaign by local traders allegedly on behalf of local police. He added that traders staged protests, demanding expulsion of transgender persons from the district without any legal basis.

Published in Dawn, November 5th, 2025