The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has introduced a comprehensive policy to protect and empower transgender persons, commonly known as Khawaja Sira, aiming to reduce harassment, discrimination, and social exclusion across the province.
The policy establishes the region’s first dedicated welfare endowment fund to support economic empowerment, skills training, and rehabilitation programs.
Authorities will also set up safe homes, rehabilitation centers, and community shelters to protect individuals facing violence or displacement.
Under the new framework, officials will create a province-wide transgender welfare registry to help individuals access social protection schemes, healthcare benefits, education, and employment opportunities.
The Social Welfare Department will oversee implementation, while district-level committees and police coordination desks will address local protection and justice concerns.
The plan also mandates inclusive healthcare services, non-discriminatory admissions in educational institutions, scholarships, employment quotas, and workplace protections.
Police and public officials will undergo rights-awareness training, and transport and health departments will introduce inclusion-focused reforms.
Officials say the policy builds upon protections introduced under national law in Pakistan, but shifts focus from protection alone to long-term social and economic empowerment.
According to records from NADRA, around 170 transgender individuals are officially registered in the province, though social welfare authorities estimate the number is significantly higher.
The policy revives earlier inclusion efforts announced during the tenure of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, which remained largely unimplemented.
Officials hope the new strategy will deliver lasting improvements in education, employment, healthcare, and social acceptance
