The Federal Shariah Court has directed the Ministry of Human Rights to take immediate steps to build protection centres for elderly and young transgender people, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Tuesday.
The FSC on Tuesday heard petitions challenging the Transgender Act which they regarded against the Shariah.
During the hearing, Federal Shariah Court Acting Chief Justice Syed Muhammad Anwar remarked that the report presented by the Ministry of Human Rights was not as per the court order.
If the government can’t do anything for the welfare of the transgender community, then it should let us know, the judge remarked.
The acting chief justice ordered the human rights secretary that he should meet the convener of a committee established today, Zumurad Khan.
The acting CJ directed to immediately prepare the SOPs for the protection centre.
He ordered the Ministry of Human Rights to submit its report on the building of protection centres and SOPs to the court on the next hearing. He appreciated the efforts of Zumurad Khan saying he was running his institution successfully.
On the court’s order, the Ministry of Human Rights established a committee for Transgender Protection Centres under the chairmanship of Zumurad Khan.
Zumurad Khan told the court that the Ministry of Human Rights did not provide any building for the protection centres so far. He said if the ministry provided them just the building, they would arrange for the rest of the facilities themselves.
The court adjourned the case till January 17.
Reporter Imanat Gishkori