Faisalabad, April 1 — On International Transgender Day, members of Faisalabad’s transgender community warned that discrimination remains widespread and that the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2018, is poorly enforced. They said the law’s mandated three percent employment quota for public and semi-government institutions has not been implemented, The Express Tribune reported.
Dr Farri, who works as a Victim Support Officer at a Police Service Centre, outlined the structural barriers she and others face despite strong academic credentials. A Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) graduate from the University of Agriculture Faisalabad, she said she has been unable to secure stable, field-relevant employment and frequently encounters exclusion and bias.
She described a short stint at a private dairy farm where colleagues and customers made derogatory comments and treated her role with ridicule. Even when applying to government departments under the reserved quota, she said she was repeatedly passed over.
Dr Farri acknowledged that former Inspector General of Police Dr Usman Anwar created some posts for transgender staff at Police Service Centres, but those positions are contractual. The lack of permanent roles and job security leaves employees vulnerable; with a monthly salary of Rs 30,000—reported as below the minimum wage—many struggle to cover rising living costs and achieve financial stability, The Express Tribune noted.
She added there is no clear policy for regularising these jobs, and after months of service she remains uncertain about her future. Beyond employment issues, transgender people continue to face harassment in public places such as markets and social gatherings.
Inspector Madiha, head of the Police Service Centre, said a dedicated protection facility has been established to respond to the community’s concerns, according to The Express Tribune.
This report draws on coverage by The Express Tribune and ANI.
