NA passes Transgender Persons Protection of Rights Bill 2018

ISLAMABAD, May 08 (APP):The National Assembly on Tuesday passed the
Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2018 aimed at ensuring rights of
transgender persons with majority vote by rejecting amendments proposed by
JUI-F lawmaker Naeema Kishwer Khan.
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
of Rights) Bill, 2018 in the House.
Opposing the bill, JUI-F lawmaker Naeema Kishwer
said the bill should be referred to the standing committee for detailed
deliberation. She moved a motion and amendments to refer the bill to Council of
Islamic Ideology and the standing committee.
Mover of the bill, Syed Naveed Qamar said that
detailed discussions were carried out on the bill the standing committee of the
Senate and requested the House to pass the bill.
Ayesha Sayyad of Jamaat-i-Islami also opposed the
bill and maintained that the bill should be referred to the standing committee.
Under the proposed law,
the Transgender persons will be able to register to obtain a driver’s licence
and passport. 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.