PESHAWAR: Transgender leaders on Tuesday accused police of evicting members of their community from several districts in the province.
They also complained about the lack of police action against extortionists, kidnappers and murderers of transgender people across the province.
In a press conference at the Peshawar Press Club, Transgender Community Organization president Farzana Riaz condemned the “persecution” of her community.
Accompanied by the organization’s vice president Mahi Gul, she said that despite numerous calls for justice, murderers, extortioners and kidnappers of transgender people roamed free, often under police protection, but the police were busy evicting members of their community from their homes.
It complains of lack of action against kidnappers and murderers of its members
“Transgender people have repeatedly been subjected to death threats and extortion calls, and those who refused to pay were killed.
“We are not asking for charity or police ration packages; we are demanding our legitimate right to live,” he said.
Farzana Riaz lamented that despite court cases, police officers and influential people had come together to forcibly remove transgender people from Swabi, Nowshera, Charsadda and other areas of the province.
“It seems like we are citizens of an enemy country, so they treat us like this,” he said.
The organization’s leader said that when members of her community approached the relevant government offices for support, they were turned away.
However, he said the Peshawar High Court heard the community’s petition and stopped the forced evictions.
“The court had sought an explanation from the provincial inspector general of police and the capital police officer, but the latter is yet to submit a response despite multiple hearings, and the court granted them time till November 4,” he said.
According to Farzana Riaz, police officers from several districts held meetings with local elders and clerics, encouraging them to expel transgender people from their communities.
“In places like Swabi, transgender women like Naseema were given 15 days to leave their homes and were physically assaulted before being expelled,” she said.
He said similar incidents were also reported in Charsadda, Mingora, Haripur, Buner and Nowshera.
Farzana Riaz alleged that police often demanded participation in their events or private functions, and those who refused faced harassment and eviction.
“We approach all institutions, but justice remains elusive,” he said.
Farzana Riaz complained that six years ago the PTI government announced special hospital wards for transgender people, but they continued to be examined in general wards for men.
He added that the government failed to fulfill its promise of providing jobs to his community on the pretext of non-availability of data.
Mahi Gul said the Peshawar High Court had ordered the police not to evict any transgender person and ensure their basic human rights.
“We only seek dignity and humanity,” he said.
He condemned mosque advertisements that target transgender people.
Mahi Gul said her community helped the police eliminate drug trafficking and other crimes, but even then they were subject to eviction.
He demanded the intervention of the provincial police chief to check the violation of the rights of his community in Swabi and Nowshera.
Published in Dawn, October 15, 2025
