Gunmen fatally shot three transgender women on the outskirts of Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city, and then fled the scene, as confirmed by police on Monday. This incident once again highlights the ongoing threats and risks faced by the transgender community nationwide.
The bodies of the victims were discovered on a roadside on Sunday, each having been shot at close range. Following this tragic event, the victims were laid to rest in a nearby cemetery, according to senior police official Javed Abro, who also mentioned that the motive behind the killings was not immediately evident. Efforts are currently underway to locate and apprehend the perpetrators.
Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah of Sindh province strongly denounced the murders and has initiated an investigation into the matter. Expressing solidarity with the marginalized transgender community, he emphasized that those responsible for the attack will be brought to justice.
In response to the violence, members of the transgender community staged a protest outside Jinnah Hospital in Karachi, where the bodies were taken for postmortem examination. They issued a warning of nationwide demonstrations if swift action was not taken against the culprits.
Transgender rights activist Bindiya Rana highlighted the prevalence of violence against the community, describing it as a deeply ingrained issue within society. Rana emphasized that if the authorities fail to identify the assailants, a nationwide protest will be organized.
The Gender Interactive Alliance, a local advocacy group, identified the victims as residents of Karachi who supported themselves through begging. The organization also referenced a recent knife attack that left another transgender woman critically wounded at Sea View Beach in Karachi, indicating a pattern of targeted violence against the community.
Despite legal recognition by Pakistan’s Supreme Court as a third gender, transgender individuals in the country continue to face discrimination and abuse. While legislation has been enacted to safeguard the rights of transgender individuals, including legal gender recognition, activists stress that social prejudices and acts of violence persist, necessitating greater protection and support for the transgender community.