The first-ever elected transgender member of Pakistan’s biggest Karachi Municipal Council and transgender rights activist Shahzadi Rai took to X (former Twitter) and described an incidence of violence against her community members.
Transgender activist Shahzadi Rai alleged that members of the transgender community were targeted by a mob on Sunday in the Gulistan-e-Jauhar area of Karachi.
According to Rai, the attackers threatened and abused the community, however, the reason was not disclosed by the activist.
As per another trans activist and artist, Bubbles Khanum, who shared videos of the incident on Instagram and Facebook, the incident took place at Jauhar Mor, where a crowd of over 100 men harassed the transgender community.
Trans Model and student of Mass communication Eshal Tariq highlighted the consequences of online campaigns against the transgender community, “This is the constant fear of safety we have to live in as a community. It was evident by the death threats of the mob today that this is not a safe place for us or any minority residing in this country our lives are in danger.”
Sindh Murat March also reacted to the situation and said, “We strongly condemn the mob attack on one of our organizers Shahzadi Rai along with her trans women companions and demand urgent action against this incident and the mockery of law and the justice system.”
Rai condemned the deteriorating safety of transgender people in the city. The activist argued that a lack of action from the authorities has left the trans community vulnerable.
