Pakistan Supreme Court to hire two transgenders: Chief Justice
For the first time, Pakistan's Supreme Court will hire two transgenders and provide them jobs in the court, said Chief Justice of Pakistan Saqib Nisar on Tuesday. He added this move is being taken to give them their rights in the Muslim-majority country. The remarks came as he chaired a bench to hear a case regarding transgenders' rights. Here are more details.
In our society, transgenders are subjected to ridicule: CJ
"In our society transgenders are subjected to ridicule. It's our topmost priority to give them their rights," Nisar was quoted as saying by Geo News. While lamenting that the community was facing threats in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Nisar said the court would issue a notice to NGOs and the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa while it hears the case related to basic rights of transgenders.
500 transgenders have been murdered in Pakistan: NGO
"Court wants to bring them into mainstream," Nisar said. During the hearing, the court also took exception to a website that he was told is involved in spreading misleading materials against transgenders. It was told that an NGO named Blue Van had established the website which claims that as many as 500 transgenders have been murdered in the country.
Pakistan became one of first countries to recognize third sex
In 2009, Pakistan became one of the first countries in the world to legally recognize a third sex, allowing transgenders to obtain identity cards. They number at least half a million people in the country, according to several studies, but their representation in politics remains negligible. The transgender community was counted in the national census for the first time last year.
National Database and Registration Authority issuing cards
The court also asked Usman Mobin, Chairman of National Database and Registration Authority whether identity cards to all transgender applicants have been issued. Mobin informed the court that his organization is issuing cards and has also initiated a facilitation campaign.
