K-P Government Introduces Policy for Transgender Persons’ Protection

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government has unveiled a comprehensive policy designed to protect and empower transgender persons, often referred to as Khawaja Sira in the region. This initiative underscores the local administration’s renewed commitment to ensuring dignity, welfare, rights, and economic independence for this marginalized group.

The policy marks a significant step forward from federal protections established under the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act 2018. Despite constitutional guarantees, transgender individuals continue to face severe exploitation in various sectors—education, healthcare, employment, and access to justice. The new framework aims to address these challenges through targeted interventions across multiple fronts.

At the heart of the policy is the establishment of Pakistan’s first dedicated endowment fund for transgender welfare. This fund will provide sustainable financial resources to support economic empowerment, skill development, and long-term rehabilitation efforts. To ensure immediate protection and support, the initiative mandates the creation of rehabilitation centers, safe homes, and community shelters specifically tailored for transgender persons.

Administrative reforms include making a Transgender Persons Welfare Registry mandatory. The centralized system will facilitate access to provincial and national social protection programs, grants, health insurance schemes (such as Sehat Card), skill development initiatives, and emergency response measures. The Social Welfare Department has been designated as the focal department responsible for transgender welfare and protection.

To enhance district-level coordination, District-level Coordination Committees have been formed to address local issues. In law enforcement, dedicated cells in prisons and detention centers, along with “Transgender Coordination Desks” at the District Police Officer level in every district, will serve as primary points of contact for reporting harassment or violence.

Under K-P’s own legislation, transgender representatives are included in Dispute Resolution Councils at district and tehsil levels. The policy also calls for gender-sensitive rehabilitation on probation, recruitment opportunities within the police force, and inclusion of modules on transgender rights and recognition in police training curricula and academies.

Other departments have also been assigned roles to support implementation. The Transport Department will train conductors and drivers on transgender rights through certified programs. The Health Department is tasked with ensuring inclusion in all government hospitals, providing hormone therapy, mental health services, HIV/AIDS care, and dedicated monitoring.

In education, the policy mandates non-discriminatory admissions, teacher training, registration based on self-identified name and gender, quotas in higher education, separate hostels, and scholarships. The Labour Department is tasked with ensuring equal wages, job opportunities, TVET allocations, and private-sector partnerships.

Mandatory training and awareness campaigns for public servants will support implementation, along with dedicated budget allocations and donor collaborations. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) will address grievances, training needs, and inclusion in basic services.

Sources note that this policy echoes earlier efforts announced during the PTI government’s first term in 2018, which included promises of residential facilities, education, health services, and an initial allocation of Rs20 million for economic autonomy. While those initiatives largely remained unimplemented, the current policy seeks to make more substantial strides toward implementation.

Currently, the Social Welfare Department has registered around 600 transgender persons in the province, though NADRA records show approximately 170. New standardized registration forms have been distributed to all districts, with District Social Welfare Officers instructed to compile and forward data promptly.

This policy represents a proactive shift from mere protection to active empowerment and inclusion. If effectively implemented, it could significantly improve the lives of transgender individuals in K-P, setting a model for other provinces amid ongoing challenges of societal stigma and institutional barriers.