Police in Pakistan have reported the tragic discovery of the bodies of three transgender individuals on a roadside in the southern city of Karachi, marking a grim episode in the ongoing violence against this marginalized community.
According to police, the victims were shot dead by unknown assailants, with their bodies found shortly after midnight on Sunday in the Memon Goth area of Karachi. City police official Javed Ahmed Abro confirmed that the bullet-riddled bodies of three transgender women were found on a highway. Investigations are ongoing to confirm their identities and determine a motive for the brutal killings.
Amnesty International has highlighted a concerning rise in violence against transgender individuals in Pakistan, also known as Hijras. This incident underscores the vulnerability faced by this segment of society. Sindh's provincial chief minister, Syed Murad Ali Shah, called for dignity and respect for transgender persons in society.
The Transgender Rights Act, passed by Pakistan's Senate in 2018, initially aimed to protect the rights of transgender people, allowing them to determine their gender identity. However, key provisions were later overturned by a sharia court. Estimates suggest there are approximately half a million transgender citizens in Pakistan, who continue to face social exclusion and systemic abuse.
A 2023 report in The Lancet revealed that a staggering 90% of transgender individuals in Pakistan have experienced physical assaults, reflecting the pervasive discrimination and violence directed at this community.
