Reservation of seats for Transgenders: PHC issue notices to respondents

Humayun Khan

PESHAWAR: A divisional bench of Peshawar High Court (PHC) comprising of Justice Ijaz Anwar and Justice Syed Arshad Ali issued notices to respondents in plea seeking reservation of seats at both national and provincial assemblies for Transgender Community, on Wednesday.

The counsel Sahibzada Raizat-ul-Haq, Mehwish Mohib Kakakhel and Batool Rifaqat advocates argued that the petitioner Bilal alias Sobia Khan is graduate as well as serving society as social worker especially transgender community.

The counsel argued that Returning Officer had turndown nomination papers of Bilal alias Sobia Khan as there is no reserved seats for transgender community. The Transgender Community has right to contest election like vote and the Article 25 of Constitution of Pakistan provide equal rights to all citizens, the counsel added.
The lack of representation at assemblies had deprived Transgender Community from multiple opportunities as well as compelled the community members for indulgence in immoral and illegal activities, the plea stated. As per Transgender Law the community members are free to chose gender of their choice, the writ pleaded.

The counsel Raizat Ul Haq argued for reservation of special seat for Transgender Community at the assemblies and for provision of comments from respondents in this regard. He argued that Transgender Community can’t obtain its due status in the society until provision of reserve seats for the community at the assemblies.
PHC’s divisional bench comprising of Justice Ijaz Anwar and Justice Syed Arshad Ali ordered Attorney General of Pakistan, Advocate General Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Chief Election Commissioner and Returning Officer PK-81 for submission of reply.