PESHAWAR – A disturbing rise in violence against the transgender community has been reported across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), with eight individuals brutally murdered in various incidents since the beginning of 2025. This sharp increase in targeted attacks has sparked fear and outrage among human rights groups and community leaders.
In the latest wave of violence, two transgender individuals were targeted in Peshawar. One of them, identified as Barfi, was critically injured in a gun attack in the Kotwali area, while another, known as Tetli, was fatally shot on July 1. Initial investigations suggest Tetli was killed after rejecting a friendship proposal. Police have arrested suspects in the case, who reportedly confessed during interrogation.
Just days later, another transgender person, Asad, was found dead in Tehkal Plaza on July 8. The attackers remain unidentified, and investigations are ongoing.
The president of the Transgender Association, Farzana Riaz, revealed that 157 transgender individuals have been murdered in KP since 2015. However, no perpetrator has ever been brought to justice in any of these cases. The reasons cited include poor investigation, societal pressure, and lack of legal follow-through.
Despite police claims of taking action, rights activists report a consistent pattern of negligence, weak prosecution, and the absence of serious judicial outcomes. In the past five years alone, 267 cases of violence against transgender individuals were registered in the province, yet only one conviction was recorded.
Apart from killings, the transgender community in KP also faces extortion, threats, and displacement. Many individuals have been forced to migrate to other provinces or even leave the country. In one recent case, a transgender person was kidnapped after refusing to pay a large extortion amount, further highlighting the growing insecurity.
The community also faces systemic challenges. Due to difficulties in obtaining identity documents from NADRA, many transgender individuals are unable to access healthcare, welfare programs, or legal protections. Out of an estimated 40,000 transgender individuals in KP, only a small fraction are officially registered.
Although some initiatives have been introduced, such as legal aid services and government discussions on inclusion in social programs, activists argue that these efforts remain limited and poorly implemented. They call for urgent reforms in law enforcement, justice delivery, and public policy to address the escalating crisis.
With the continued surge in violence and the failure of the justice system to respond effectively, the transgender community in KP remains one of the most vulnerable and unprotected groups in the province. Rights groups are now urging both provincial and federal authorities to take immediate and concrete action to safeguard the lives and dignity of transgender individuals across the country.
