LAHORE: A bench of the Supreme Court of Pakistan started hearing of the case of non-issuance of Computerized National Identity Cards (CNICs) to transgenders on Monday (today) at 11:00 am at its Lahore registry.
A bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice Saqib Nisar hearing the case today.
Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Saqib Nisar had taken suo moto notice of the issue on Sunday while visiting the Fountain House.
Punjab chief secretary and other members of the provincial administration were instructed to appear before the court.
During his visit to Fountain House Lahore on Saturday, the Chief Justice was complained of the problems faced by the transgender community, particularly the non-issuance of CNICs.
The apex court also instructed representative of the Akhuwat Foundation to attend the hearing.
In 2009, Pakistan legally recognised a third sex, and allowed transgenders to obtain identity cards, but the court seeks to ensure its implementation.
Earlier this year, the National Assembly approved the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act guaranteeing basic rights for transgender people.
The law bans discrimination against transgender people by employers and business owners as well as outlawing harassment in public places or at home.
It also allows transgender people to self-identify as male, female or a “third sex” on official documents, such as passports or drivering licenses. However, transgender people routinely face severe discrimination.
The new law also establishes safe houses for transgender people, as well as providing medical care and psychological counselling.
Last year, the transgender community was counted in the national census for the first time, which recorded 10,418 transgender people, a figure said to significantly underestimated.
At least thirteen members of the transgender community will also be contesting the upcoming general elections on various seats across the country,
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