INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
NA passes bill aimed at ensuring rights of transgender personsISLAMABAD: The National Assembly on Tuesday
passed the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2018 aimed at ensuring rights of transgender persons with majority vote.Syed
Naveed Qamar of Pakistan People Party Parliamentarian (PPPP) piloted the bill to provide for protection, relief and rehabilitation of rights
of the transgender persons and their welfare and for matters connected therewith and incidental thereto [the Transgender Persons (Protection
They will have the option to get their gender changed in National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) records.Harassment of
transgenders will also 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.The government will establish a safe house for transgenders and provide them medical and
educational facilities and psychological counselling
Separate rooms will be established at jails where transgenders could be detained
In addition to all basic rights, they will be entitled to inherit property.The government will take steps to ensure employment opportunities
for transgenders and 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 Rs50,000.The Senate has already passed the bill.
