KARACHI: A large number of transgender persons and their supporters gathered outside the Karachi Press Club on Wednesday to stage a protest against surging inflation.

Holding up placards emblazoned with slogans such as “high fuel prices, empty plates”, they called for relief from spiking prices and help finding secure employment.

“We beg on the streets, you beg at the IMF,” read one protester’s sign — a reference to Pakistan’s multibillion-dollar bailout deal with the global lender.

Organisers said they had experienced soaring costs for rent, fuel and food and called on the government to pay more attention to protecting vulnerable populations, whose small budgets were disproportionately eaten into by more expensive essential items.

“The khwaja sira community should be respected and honoured,” said Aradhiya Khan, from the Gender Interactive Alliance advocacy group that organised the protest.

Shahzadi Rai said many from the khwaja sira community had struggled to find work, which worsened the impact of rising prices.

Published in Dawn, July 30th, 2026