KP’s transgenders migrate to save their lives

83 transgenders killed in seven years with zero conviction rate

There is no threat from the Taliban, yet they are not safe in any part of Khyber Pakhtunkhawa. The transgender community of KP is forced to leave the province to save their lives, this time from organised armed groups who run above the law.

Over 50 transgenders have so far moved out to Lahore, Karachi and other cities citing violence, sexual abuse, police torture, rape, intimidation and extortion. The trans community leaders and rights experts say the lack of punishment and police bias is making their lives even more miserable. Since 2015, some 83 transgenders have been gunned down but none of the murderers has so far been taken to task.

The majority of migrating transgenders may or may not belong to the province and had come here for a better living. They have largely been associated with the popular music and dance industry thriving in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly Peshawar. The majority of the killings in the last seven years happened due to money disputes as the murderers were either close friends or business rivals.

Farzana Ilyas, the president of Trans Action Alliance, a rights body working for transgenders’ rights, told Bol News, “transgenders are leaving Peshawar as there is no legal protection for them in KP. They are tortured, coerced and forced to live under constant fear,” agreeing that, “some were indeed killed by boyfriends on money disputes but there are gangs too that specifically target them.”

“I had been calling for legal protection for transgenders but to no avail, if I name them, who will protect me, they are very powerful,” she said, replying to a query.

According to Farzana organised groups are involved in the rape, kidnapping and killing of transgenders, forcing them to leave the place. “Many of them are migrating to Punjab, Swat, Karachi, Kohat and other areas for safety.”

Farzan says none of the attackers and perpetrators has ever been punished which is why the violence against them goes unabated. She accused law enforcement agencies of facilitating the killers and then getting a settlement with the victims’ families. They force them into reconciliation without even informing the gurus, she added.

“Our demand is simple, we need protection in work, space to live, and rights like everyone else. It is our country, the groups forcing us to flee must be taken to task, immediately!”

Sanam, a transgender and trans rights activist, told Bol, “extortionists are all around us, they coerce us for money and when such demands are not met, they go violent, leaving many transgenders dead or injured.” “Even if the perpetrators are arrested, they are out again in a month or two and become more violent and threatening than before.”

To a query, she said, “we won’t say there are no crimes in Karachi and Punjab against transgenders, but the ratio here is a bit too high. They (the groups) force us into prostitution, attack and disrupt our dance functions and there is nobody to protect us from them.”

“Most of them are criminals, and vandalists, especially in rural areas, who come after our vehicles when we leave the parties. They can demand anything from money to sex and when we resist, they open fire on us,” she added.

Nisha is a transgender from Swat who has lived in Lahore for some time before moving to Peshawar. “Pakhtuns are generally very loving and treat you with respect, but there are a few who terrorise us and they must be punished,” she added. Nisha remarked that the demand for forced relationships is a serious issue. The police are not always bad, but they do protect criminal elements.

The trans rights expert and programme manager Blue Veins, Qamar Nasim has a different view of the migration story. “We can’t say if transgenders are migrating. They might be going back to their hometowns in Lahore, Karachi or other parts of the country. They move to KP in search of better-earning opportunities.”

Qamar Nasim remarked that all protective laws apply to transgenders but the role of law enforcement agencies and even the lacunas in court proceedings often help the attackers escape punishment. Senior Superintend of Police Operations Peshawar, Kashif Aftab Abbasi said, “We can’t say that transgenders are migrating for security reasons. It’s a free country and anyone can move anywhere for better prospects.

Crime occurs against all and our job is to protect all marginalised segments of our society, including transgenders. Peshawar is as safe for them as any other city and there is no extraordinary threat alert or security risk. They are equally, rather more protected than ordinary citizens.”

To a query about the causes of increased violence against transgender, he said, “reasons can be personal resulting out of anger, broken friendship, business rivalry, money dispute and personal likes and dislikes, but crime is a crime and we investigate on merit.” He remarked that a special application has been introduced to protect the marginalised communities, including transgenders.