On Tuesday, Pakistan's passed a bill at Islamabad's National Assembly which granted transgender people various civil rights. The bill, "Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act", which was presented by Pakistan Peoples Party's lawmaker , was approved by the senate in March, and now awaits signature of the president . The bill ensures people have the right to identify themselves as male, female or as "", also known as khawaja sira in Pakistan. This identity choice is to be reflected in the , as well as other official documents like passports and driving licence. The legislation was sent to and later approved by the , a government advisory body. Lahore-based activist Mehlab Jameel, who was involved in writing the bill, said the Council of Islamic Ideology "appreciated that the bill included directions on inheritance in accordance with  " law. Speaking to  , Jameel said, "This kind of development is not only unprecedented in Pakistani history, but it's one of the most progressive laws in the whole world."  has reported at least four deaths of transgenders in the country since the beginning of 2018, and at least 57 transgenders were killed in Pakistan since 2015. Pakistan's —reportedly— first transgender news anchor and activist told Images the transgenders "are forced to dance and beg because they have no other means to make ends meet." "My trans friends who have masters degrees don't have jobs which is why they end up on streets or become sex workers", Malik added.
On Tuesday, Pakistan's passed a bill at Islamabad's which granted transgender people various civil rights. The bill, "Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act", which was presented by Pakistan Peoples Party's lawmaker , was approved by the senate in March, and now awaits signature of the president . The bill ensures people have the right to identify themselves as male, female or as "", also known as in Pakistan. This identity choice is to be reflected in the , as well as other official documents like passports and driving licence. The legislation was sent to and later approved by the , a government advisory body. Lahore-based activist Mehlab Jameel, who was involved in writing the bill, said the Council of Islamic Ideology "appreciated that the bill included directions on inheritance in accordance with Shari'a " law. Speaking to National Public Radio , Jameel said, "This kind of development is not only unprecedented in Pakistani history, but it's one of the most progressive laws in the whole world." Human Rights Watch has reported at least four deaths of transgenders in the country since the beginning of 2018, and at least 57 transgenders were killed in Pakistan since 2015. Pakistan's —reportedly— first transgender news anchor and activist told Images the transgenders "are forced to dance and beg because they have no other means to make ends meet." "My trans friends who have masters degrees don't have jobs which is why they end up on streets or become sex workers", Malik added.
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National Assembly
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khawaja sira
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Shari'a
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National Public Radio
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Human Rights Watch