The Balochistan Assembly on Saturday passed a resolution regarding the repeal of the Transgender Act.
The Transgender Act, which was passed into law by the National Assembly of Pakistan in May 2018, is under severe criticism by religious and far right-wing parties, calling it against Sharia law.
The Balochistan Assembly passed a resolution against the act stating, “the transgender act identified as flawed, there can be no law contrary to Sharia.” The resolution was presented by the Assembly Member of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) Asghar Ali Tareen in the last meeting of the Balochistan assembly. The debate could not be completed in the previous session due to the breakdown of the microphone of the assembly.
Rejecting the criticism over the law, Azam Nazeer, Law Minister of the ruling party said “the transgender people are also human beings and their due rights must be granted to them as per law.” He added that it is the responsibility of the state to give them their fundamental rights.
While criticizing the bill, the religious parties have said that over 28,000 people have applied for gender change in NADRA since the bill was passed. The Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), a far-right Islamic extremist political party has warned the government to repeal the act or protests will be held across the country.
The session of Balochistan Assembly has been adjourned till September 27.