By: Salman Yousafzai
PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has taken a historic step towards equality and inclusion by officially notifying the Departmental Guidelines for the Protection and Empowerment of Transgender Persons through the Department of Social Welfare, Special Education, and Women Empowerment.
This move reflects the provincial government’s commitment to creating a society that upholds dignity, equality, and freedom from discrimination for all citizens, particularly transgender individuals who have long faced social deprivation and barriers to accessing public services.
These guidelines have been developed based on the Constitution of Pakistan and the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2018, which provide a comprehensive framework for safeguarding the rights of transgender persons and ensuring their social, economic, and political inclusion. The guidelines require all provincial departments to guarantee equal access to education, health care, employment, justice, and public facilities for transgender individuals while protecting them from harassment, violence, and discrimination.
This initiative goes beyond mere protection and aims to foster genuine inclusion, allowing transgender citizens to enjoy respect, recognition, and empowerment at both societal and governmental levels.
The formulation of these guidelines was a collaborative process led by the Department of Social Welfare, with technical support from Blue Veins and the National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR). Transgender representatives from various districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa also actively participated in this process. Mr Qamar Naseem, Program Manager at Blue Veins, stated, “This is a milestone towards inclusive governance in Pakistan. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has taken a bold, rights-based step that will ensure transgender individuals are treated with dignity and equality. These guidelines translate policy into practical measures and can serve as an example for other provinces.”
Mr Rizwanullah Shah, Provincial Coordinator of the National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR), commended the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government’s leadership for adopting these guiding principles. He remarked that this initiative showcases how human rights institutions and government departments can collaborate to promote equality and justice, representing a vision for an inclusive society that respects rights.
Ms Farzana Jan, President of the Trans Action Alliance, expressed her gratitude for the initiative, stating, “For years, our community has suffered from ignorance, violence, and deprivation. These guiding principles affirm our right to identity, protection, and participation in the governance process. We are thankful to the government and civil society for making this essential step possible.”
