MANSEHRA, Oct 27: The transvestites have demanded of the government to provide them protection and recognise their rights as directed by the Supreme Court of Pakistan.

“Were are thankful to Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry for accepting us as third sex and giving us due rights.

But the incumbent government is not implementing his order,” they said during a get-together here on Wednesday.

The event, held amid tight security, was largely attended by the transvestites from across the country. Some transvestites of Pakistani origin from United Kingdom and France also participated in the programme.

“The event is a sigh of relief for the transvestites of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as owing to militancy and terrorism we could not organise such a programme here since long,” said Maria Khan, the president of Shemale Association, while addressing the big dancing gala, which continued the entire night without interval.

He said that such events gave them new blood and courage to fight all odds as the society didn't give them due respect and rights.

The transvestites from Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and United Kingdom and France with Pakistani origin, who attended the event, hoped that such programmes would also be held in the future.

Owing to sensitivity of the region for such events, heavy contingent of police was deployed in and around the hall of the hotel where the programme was held. Every party, on its arrival in the hall, was welcomed by the gurus and others in specific terms and language used by the transvestites.

The transvestites said that owing to threat by militants, such events could be held since long. Dressed in bright and colorful costumes, they danced on Indian, Pakistani and English songs.

Speaking on the occasion, Maria Khan and others said that they were highly thankful to Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry for accepting them as third sex and giving them the due rights.

They criticised the government for not implement- ing the order of Supreme Court.

They said that following Supreme Court's decision transvestites were playing active role in society like other people.

“Though militancy and terrorism in the province affected our business and we suffered huge financial losses but we are optimistic that government will eliminate militancy and terrorism from the country,” they added.