It seems as if we are citizens of an enemy country: Pakistani transgenders allege eviction from home

They said the police have failed to take action against kidnappers, extortionists and killers of the community members across Pakistan.

While addressing a press conference at the Peshawar Press Club, Transgender Community Organisation president Farzana Riaz condemned “persecution” of her community.

She alleged that the kidnappers, extortionists and killers of the community members are roaming free in the country, mostly with police protection.

“Transgender persons have repeatedly been targeted with death threats and extortion calls, and those who refused to pay were killed," she was quoted as saying by Dawn News.

“We are not asking for charity or police ration packages; we are demanding our legitimate right to live,” she said.

Farzana Riaz alleged that influential people and the police have joined hands to remove transgender persons from Swabi, Nowshera, Charsadda and other areas in the province.

“It seems as if we are citizens of an enemy country, so we’re being treated like that,” she was quoted as saying by Dawn News.

She said they did not get support from the government offices when they approached them.

“The court had sought an explanation from the provincial inspector general of police and the capital city police officer but the latter have yet to submit a response despite multiple hearings, with the court granting them time until November 4,” she said.

Farzana Riaz said police officials in multiple districts held meetings with local clerics who encouraged them to drive away the transgender community members.

“In places like Swabi, transgender women such as Naseema were given 15 days to leave their homes and were physically assaulted before being expelled,” she said.

She said similar incidents were reported from Charsadda, Mingora, Haripur, Buner and Nowshera.

Riaz said police often demanded that they participate in their events or private functions, and those who refused faced harassment and eviction.