The National Assembly on Tuesday approved a bill for the protection of rights of transgender persons.
The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2018 was passed in NA with a majority. The bill was also passed by Senate in March this year.
Syed Naveed Qamar of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) had piloted the bill to provide protection, relief and rehabilitation of rights to transgender persons.
The bill was opposed by JUI-F lawmaker Naeema Kishwer who said it should be referred to the standing committee for detailed deliberation.
The JUI-F lawmaker moved a motion and amendments to refer the bill to the Council of Islamic Ideology and the standing committee. However, her amendments were rejected.
PPP’s Naveed Qamar said that detailed discussions were carried out by the Standing Committee of the Senate and requested the House to pass the bill.
Under the bill, members of the transgender community will be able to obtain driving licences and passports. It will empower them to get their gender changed in National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) records.
According to the bill, harassment of transgender persons will be prohibited in and outside their homes. “They will not be discriminated against by educational institutions, employers, in trade and health services, and when using public transport and buying or selling or renting property.”
Moreover, the government will establish a safe house for them and provide them with medical and educational facilities and psychological counselling. Separate rooms will be established at jails where transgender persons could be detained.
In addition to all basic rights, they will be entitled to inherit property. Also the government will take steps to ensure employment opportunities for them.
They will have the right to vote in all national, provincial and local government elections and they will not be discriminated against in their pursuit of a public office. Anyone found guilty of forcing a transgender person to beg will be sentenced to six months in prison and served a fine of Rs 50,000.
Published in Daily Times, May 9th 2018.
