Trans Community Challenged FSC Decision in SC

News Desk

Islamabad: The transgender community and civil society have challenged the decision of the Federal Shariat Court in the Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) that dismissed a law intended to protect transgender people’s rights and declared that its certain provisions were against Islamic injunctions.

Transgender leader Ali, along with her lawyer Saqib Jillani and minority rights activist Sherkan Malik, filed a petition in the Supreme Court.

The FSC had declared that certain sections of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act 2018–including those pertaining to gender identity and the right to inherit–contradicted Islamic law, while detractors blasted the law for using transgender rights as a pretext to legalise gay and lesbian rights.

The trans community and the civil society filed an appeal against the Federal Shariat Court decision in Supreme Court today to declare it null and void. We seek protection for our community’s rights @FarhatullahB @kamiSid2 @saqibjillani @SaroImran @Markhorni1 pic.twitter.com/Y72DYB9P5W

— Nayyab Ali – نایاب علی (@nayyabalipk) July 15, 2023

According to legal experts, the decision is no longer in effect in accordance with Article 203 D of the Constitution.

Ali stated that they are hopeful that the apex court will declare this decision of the Shariat Court null and void while protecting our rights.

In this appeal, civil society members, including former senator Farhutullah Babar, Sherkan Malik, Khawar Mumtaz, and Saleema Hashmi, are included as appellants, along with the trans community.