ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar on Thursday disposed of a suo motu case after the Mardan police assured the court that transgender people would not be harassed and provided full protection in the district.

The chief justice had taken notice of a complaint that the transgender community was being pressured by the police to leave the Mardan district. The complaint was filed by non-governmental organisation, Vision Pakistan, on behalf of transgenders.

It was alleged that landlords were also being pressured to not rent out land or any property to the transgenders. Moreover, police had locked the houses of some transgenders forcing them to move out of Mardan.

The complainant alleged that the police were acting under the pressure of elements who were not ready to treat the transgenders as human beings.

The chief justice directed the district and sessions judge Mardan to take up the matter and inform the apex court about the situation by Feb 9.

The police assured the court that the transgenders would not be harassed or pressured in any manner and provided with full protection. Moreover, any notice issued by the police to the landlords of transgender people would be withdrawn.

Published in Dawn, February 10th, 2017