Plan builds on Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act 2018, adding welfare fund, shelters, jobs and protection
PESHAWAR:
In a significant step toward addressing long-standing marginalization, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government has introduced a comprehensive new policy aimed at safeguarding transgender persons, commonly referred to as Khawaja Sira in the region, from harassment, violence, and discrimination while promoting their welfare, rights, and economic independence.
The policy, rolled out recently, marks a renewed commitment to transgender inclusion, building on federal protections under the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act 2018. Despite constitutional guarantees, transgender individuals in Pakistan, including in K-P, continue to face severe exploitation in education, healthcare, employment, and access to justice. The new framework seeks to bridge these gaps through targeted interventions across multiple sectors.
A cornerstone of the policy is the establishment of the province’s first dedicated endowment fund for transgender welfare. This fund will provide sustainable financial resources to support economic empowerment, skill development, and long-term rehabilitation efforts.
To ensure immediate protection and support, the policy mandates the creation of rehabilitation centers, safe homes, and community shelters specifically for transgender persons. These facilities will offer secure living environments and assistance for those facing violence or displacement.
Administrative reforms include making a Transgender Persons Welfare Registry and comprehensive database mandatory. This centralized system will facilitate access to provincial and national social protection programs, grants, health insurance schemes (such as Sehat Card), skill development initiatives, and emergency response measures.
The Social Welfare Department has been designated as the focal department responsible for transgender welfare and protection. It will develop policy frameworks, monitor integration into public services, coordinate with other departments, and ensure compliance across the province.
District-level coordination committees will be formed to address local issues. In the justice and law enforcement sector, dedicated cells in prisons and detention centers, along with “Transgender Coordination Desks” at the District Police Officer level in every district, will serve as primary points of contact for reporting harassment, violence, or seeking protection.
Under the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Police Act 2017, transgender representatives will be included in Dispute Resolution Councils at district and tehsil levels. The policy also calls for gender-sensitive rehabilitation for transgender individuals on probation, recruitment opportunities in the police force, and the inclusion of modules on transgender rights and recognition in police training curricula and academies.
Other departments have assigned roles: The Transport Department will train conductors and drivers on transgender rights through certified programs. The Health Department must ensure inclusion in all government hospitals, providing hormone therapy, mental health services, HIV/AIDS care, and dedicated monitoring.
In education, the policy enforces non-discriminatory admissions, teacher training, registration based on self-identified name and gender, quotas in higher education, separate hostels, and scholarships. The Labour Department is tasked with ensuring equal wages, job opportunities, TVET allocations, and private-sector partnerships.
Mandatory training and awareness campaigns for public servants, along with dedicated budget allocations and donor collaborations, will support implementation. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) will address grievances, training needs, and inclusion in basic services.
Sources note that this echoes earlier efforts during the PTI government’s first term in 2018, when a similar policy was announced, including promises of residential facilities, education, health services, and an initial allocation of Rs20 million for economic autonomy. However, those initiatives largely remained unimplemented.
Currently, the Social Welfare Department has registered around 600 transgender persons in the province, though NADRA records show approximately 170. New standardized registration forms have been distributed to all districts, with District Social Welfare Officers instructed to compile and forward data promptly.
This policy represents a proactive shift from mere protection to active empowerment and inclusion. If effectively implemented, it could significantly improve the lives of transgender individuals in K-P, setting a model for other provinces amid ongoing challenges of societal stigma and institutional barriers.
