In Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the challenges facing the transgender community are increasing with each passing day. Sometimes they are killed in the name of “honour,” and sometimes they face violence or forced displacement that pushes them onto the streets of various districts. These incidents have left the transgender community in deep distress, as their parents neither allow them to live with them nor can the transgender community live a peaceful life in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Why is the transgender community in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa facing these hardships, and why has their population declined compared to previous years? Today, we will take a detailed look at the perspectives of transgender individuals, legal experts, human rights activists, and civil society members on this issue.
According to data from NADRA and the Social Welfare Department across different districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, there are approximately 1,300 transgender persons in the province. However, according to the president of the transgender community, the number is as high as 75,000 from Chitral to Dera Ismail Khan. This figure includes transgender individuals working in the field, in homes, and in government offices.
Since 2015, a total of 197 transgender persons have been killed, while nearly 3,000 cases have been reported involving violence, inappropriate videos, robbery, and other crimes against them.
According to the president of the transgender community, no perpetrator in any of these cases has been punished, which has caused these incidents to increase steadily over time.
After Peshawar, the highest number of transgender persons in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa reside in Swat. Following the crackdown in Peshawar, people in Swat also came out against them and blocked the roads. According to the police, the protesters were also fired upon by members of the transgender community, as a result of which three transgender individuals were arrested. Later, the protest by the demonstrators intensified even further.
Transgender Leaders Speaks Up: Rights, Challenges, and Resilience
Farzana Ali, Chairperson of the Trans Action Community Organization Khyber Pakhtunkhwa told to The Friday Times that the arrest and expulsion of transgender persons from Swat on the pretext of obscenity is a violation of law and human rights. She said that around 75,000 transgender persons in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are deprived of basic rights, therefore instead of harassing them, they should be provided opportunities for education, employment, and skill development. She added that in Mingora Shahdara, citizens and public representatives, together with the police, attempted to storm the rooms of transgender persons by accusing them of obscenity, and three innocent transgender persons were arrested on allegations of firing, while another was allegedly tortured and a pistol was claimed to have been recovered from them.
Farzana said that they strongly condemn this action and demand a judicial inquiry into the incident. She added that transgender persons do not go to anyone’s homes; rather, people themselves go to their rooms, yet the blame is always placed on the transgender community.
Mahi Gul, Vice Chairperson of the Trans Action Community Organization Khyber Pakhtunkhwa told The Friday Times that she does not support transgender persons involved in immoral activities or crime, but targeting innocent transgender persons is injustice. She revealed that there are 950 registered transgender persons in Swat, and neither their parents nor society accepts them. Therefore, it is necessary to grant them their legal rights and give them the opportunity to become useful citizens. She added that legal action should indeed be taken against transgender persons involved in crimes or immoral activities, but harassing them or expelling them from the district is neither justice nor humanity. She said they strongly oppose such actions and will take the legal route.
Local and Political Leaders' Reactions
Ijaz Khan, spokesperson for Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) Swat told The Friday Times that the issue that has emerged in Swat at the moment is related to transgender persons, and also to criminal elements. Especially in Babuzai, Mingora city, and across Swat, this has become a serious problem. Since Swat is a fertile region and its people are religious, the society of Swat is built on Pashtun traditions. But over time, different groups have been coming here. Particularly with regard to transgender persons, he said he personally believes that only 1 or 2 percent of them are local, while the rest belong to other areas such as Mardan, Peshawar, Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Abbottabad.
Ijaz said that these transgender persons have come here and established their setups, building private rooms and bases. According to him, this is harmful to society, and because of them the younger generation is being ruined. Transgender persons roam freely during the day in markets, Green Chowk, Malookabad, and other areas, spreading obscenity. Alongside this, the use of ice (meth) and other drugs is also becoming common. In other words, on one side are transgender persons, and on the other are drugs, and both are destroying our youth.
He said that they had staged a strong protest against this in Shahdara. But later, the transgender individuals allegedly opened fire on the police and the public.
Ijaz Khan further said that another important point is that if we ourselves rent out our spaces, shops, or houses to them, then how will this issue be resolved? For example, if he rents out his shop for 5,000 rupees and a transgender person offers 20,000, he gives it to them—this, he said, is wrong.
He said that people must keep an eye on their neighborhoods, streets, and areas. If anyone is involved in crime or drug dealing, they should inform the police or administration. We ourselves should not rent out our houses, guest rooms, or shops to such individuals.
Separating Fact from Fiction: Trans Community and Crime
Syed Nayar Ali Shah, a 35-year-old transgender person known by the name Rubi Khan — who is legally recognized as a transgender woman — told The Friday Times that said she has been living in Peshawar since 2013 and has been working with UNDP as a Transgender Support Officer since around 2020. She also raises her voice for the rights of her community. She said that their community is already suffering from isolation. Among them are leaders such as their president Farzana Riaz and some educated, active women activists who are also working for rights. Together, they are working to create awareness and understanding within their community. She emphasized that the real issue is that the shortcomings emerging within their community must be addressed seriously.
Rubi Khan further said that Pakistan has laws, and these laws should be applied to all individuals who create disorder in society, whether they are activists or religious clerics — the law is equal for everyone. She added that the leaders within their own community must also agree that the law should be the same for all. If anyone commits wrongdoing — whether they are a transgender person, a woman, or a man — they should all be held accountable according to the law.
Forced Out: Police Statement on Transgenders
District Police Officer Muhammad Omar Khan, responding to a question about the expulsion or removal of transgender persons from the district, said that they are not in favor of expelling anyone from the district. Every Pakistani has the right to live peacefully in any city of Pakistan. For us, the most important thing is to assess different areas of Swat, and wherever illegal activities are taking place, we take strict action against them.
Regarding the arrest of transgender persons, Muhammad Omar Khan said that the police have arrested three transgender individuals who are accused of firing at the police as well as members of the jirga. These include Asif alias Bulbul, Imran alias Fayal, and a transgender person named Arman. Weapons were also recovered from them, and a case has been registered at Banr Police Station.
The DPO Swat further told The Friday Times that the law is equal for everyone. Those who disturb the peace and order will not be forgiven under any circumstances, whether they are ordinary citizens or transgender persons — the law applies equally to all. He requested everyone to cooperate with the government and police and to prove themselves as peaceful citizens.
Trans Community Under Fire: Jirga's Decision on Displacement Sparks Controversy
A settlement has been reached between the Shahdara Ulasi Jirga in Swat and the transgender community, under which all transgender persons residing in Shahdara Watki will leave the area within two days.
A jirga was held at the Banr Police Station under the supervision of SHO Fazal Rahim Khan, which was attended by elders of the Ulasi Jirga including Ayub Khan, Nauman Khan, Aftab Alam Khan, Saifullah Khan, and other notable figures. The transgender community was represented by Transgender Association President Farzana, Vice President Mahi Gul, and Mehak.
According to the jirga spokesperson, Afreen Khan, the Ulasi Jirga had launched a campaign against obscenity and immoral activities in the area, with their main demand being the relocation of transgender persons from Shahdara Watke. Both parties mutually agreed that the transgender residents would leave the area within two days. It was also decided that the three transgender individuals arrested for allegedly firing at the police and the public would also leave the area after their release.
Congratulating the public on this development, the spokesperson expressed special gratitude to the police, jirga members, representatives of transgender organizations, and the media. He added that the jirga will continue its struggle against drugs and other crimes in the future.
Forced Displacement: A Human Rights Crisis
Irfan Hussain Babak, founder of The Awakening and a human rights activist told The Friday Times that expelling the transgender community from the district or holding protests against them in different places in Swat is truly worrying. He said it is not right to defame or blame an entire community based on an individual incident. It is important to ensure their protection. However, anyone who violates the law — regardless of which group they belong to — should be given the strictest punishment. But if we react to a single incident or one person’s mistake by declaring the entire community as criminals, then this is completely inappropriate.
Irfan Hussain Babak added that if we review the past few years in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, several cases of killings of transgender persons have been reported. In 2025 alone, 11 transgender individuals have been murdered. This shows that they are a vulnerable and marginalized group. God has created them as well, and in 2018 a proper law was enacted for their protection. If this law is being violated at the local level, then it is also a violation of Articles 4, 5, 6, and 8 of the Constitution. Therefore, actions that go against the law or the Constitution should not take place.
He further said that if there are any criminals or individuals within this community involved in illegal activities, then action must indeed be taken against them. But labeling the entire transgender community as criminals or claiming they are involved in immoral activities is inappropriate and unjust.
Legal Protections and Culture On paper, Pakistan has taken important steps to protect transgender rights. The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2018 allows individuals to self-identify as a third gender and bans discrimination in education, employment and public services. But in KP the gap between legislation and reality remains wide. Investigations into murders of transgender individuals are often delayed, perpetrators remain at large and victims rarely receive justice.
Laws on the Books: Do Transgender Rights Translate to Reality?
Lawyer and EVAW/G Focal Person Samreen Hakim responded to questions about accused transgender cases in an interview with The Friday Times. "There are instances where the BBA intervenes with the lower court, suggesting that the accused be released if arrested. Consequently, the accused is arrested, imprisoned, and later released after a compromise is reached. However, this process disregards the support and rights of the transgender community, as the accused is pressured into settling the matter," Hakim said.
Regarding the Transgender Rights Act, Hakim noted, "The problem is that the Act was passed, but unfortunately, it has been challenged in court on the grounds that it goes against Islam. As a result, the law has not been implemented. However, general laws that protect 'any person' or similar terminology can be extended to protect transgender individuals as well. This way, existing laws can provide protection to transgender people too."
Hakim further emphasized that "the core issue is that transgender individuals often lack ownership and recognition from their families and society. When they face hardships and seek support, they are frequently denied their rights and space. It is essential for them to claim their rights and assert their identities, rather than relying solely on charity or goodwill.
The Constitution of Pakistan grants every citizen the right to live in any part of the country. Forcibly evicting or targeting a specific community is a clear violation of the Constitution and human rights. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the transgender community is facing killings, violence, and forced evictions from various districts. The transgender community is helplessly awaiting justice from the Government of Pakistan and the judiciary.