Sobia Khan Spearheads Transgender Rights in Elections

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Peshawar: The lone transgender candidate in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Sobia Khan, aimed to shatter stereotypes and champion the community’s role in societal welfare.

Sobia Khan has submitted nomination papers for the PK-81 constituency in Peshawar. She has expressed the ambition of challenging stereotypes about her community’s abilities to contribute to societal welfare.

“I entered the electoral arena to challenge misconceptions about the capabilities of the trans community and demonstrate our potential to contribute significantly to the country’s development with the right opportunities and resources,” emphasized Sobia Khan during her visit to the Peshawar Press Club to congratulate the newly elected cabinet.

She stressed the importance of political leadership recognizing the reality of the trans community as an integral segment of society. Sobia urged parties to provide meaningful representation to transgender individuals in upcoming elections, slated for February 8, 2024.

Read More:https://thepenpk.com/transgender-inclusion-in-electoral-process-crucial-to-strengthening-democracy/

“Aspirations like mine aim to champion the rights of transgender individuals, women, and children, specifically in the PK:81 constituency,” Sobia declared. Her focus lies in empowering women and transgender individuals through skill-building initiatives to break the cycle of deprivation and poverty.

Sobia highlighted the necessity for the Election Commission of Pakistan to reserve seats for transgender individuals in assemblies, similar to quotas for women and minorities. To this end, she filed a writ petition at the Peshawar High Court (PHC) seeking equal representation for her community.

“The challenges faced by transgender individuals are best understood by members of our community,” Sobia asserted. “Representation in assemblies will enable us to address these issues and work towards our betterment.”

Addressing her campaign efforts, Sobia shared her grassroots approach of engaging with voters door-to-door in her constituency. She acknowledged the surprise surrounding her candidacy, being the first transgender person to contest elections in her area, yet expressed confidence in receiving widespread support from both elders and youngsters.

Sobia highlighted that her participation in electoral politics aims to raise awareness among people and politicians about the transgender community’s existence as an essential part of society, deserving attention and resolution of their rights.