PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) has directed police not to harass members of the transgender community while seeking detailed replies from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government and other authorities over allegations of intimidation and forced evictions.
A two-member bench comprising Justice Syed Arshad Ali and Justice Inamullah Khan heard a petition filed by transgender individuals. The petitioners alleged that police officers were pressuring them to leave their homes and preventing them from living peacefully.
During the hearing, Justice Inamullah Khan expressed concern over the violence faced by the transgender community. He said attacks and murders targeting Khawaja Saras had damaged the province’s reputation and stressed that the government must take effective measures to ensure their safety.
Government Outlines Welfare Measures
The petitioners’ counsel argued that police officers were visiting transgender residents with other individuals and forcing them to vacate their homes despite having committed no offence. Community members present in court also repeated these allegations before the bench.
In response, the Additional Advocate General informed the court that the government had prepared a report proposing several welfare initiatives. These include establishing shelter homes, creating an endowment fund, and reserving quotas for transgender persons in government departments.
The government also stated that transgender rights activist Sobia had been appointed as a warden at the Central Jail to improve representation in public institutions.
Meanwhile, the petitioners’ lawyer argued that government committees responsible for transgender welfare often lacked meaningful representation from the community. The court directed authorities to ensure adequate participation of Khawaja Saras in such bodies.
After the preliminary hearing, the PHC restrained police from harassing the petitioners and issued notices to the provincial government, police, and other relevant authorities. The bench ordered them to submit a detailed report before the next hearing.
