By Akhunzada Fazle Haq
Mardan: President of Trans Action Alliance, Farzana Riaz, and Executive Director of Manzil Foundation, Madam Arzoo Khan, have strongly condemned the rising wave of violence against the transgender community in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, stating that the situation has reached an alarming level.
Speaking at a press conference at Mardan Press Club , they revealed that 158 transgender individuals have been brutally murdered across the province since 2015, yet not a single perpetrator has been brought to justice. They lamented the fact that shootings and physical assaults on transgender persons have become routine, while the government has completely failed to ensure their protection.
They criticized the police for displaying a discriminatory attitude, stating that some officers even consider meeting transgender individuals as beneath their dignity. Both activists urged national and international human rights organizations to raise their voices and stand in solidarity with the marginalized community to strengthen their fight against injustice.
The press conference was attended by hundreds of transgender individuals. Following the briefing, the community members, led by provincial president Farzana Riaz, staged a protest demonstration outside the Mardan Press Club. The demonstrators chanted strong slogans against the police and marched from the Press Club to the office of the District Police Officer (DPO) Mardan.
Protesters carried placards and banners demanding justice and protection. They particularly denounced the recent incident in the jurisdiction of Jabbar Police Station, where a transgender person named Hassan , also known as Haseena, was critically injured in a targeted shooting by unknown assailants. Police have reportedly arrested three suspects, but one key accused remains at large.
Farzana Riaz called on the government and law enforcement agencies to immediately arrest the remaining suspect and ensure the safety of the entire transgender community. She warned that if their demands are not met, the protests will intensify and expand across the province.
