Trans-people cannot change their gender: court

Islamabad: Federal Shariat Court (FSC) Friday delivered its verdict that transgender cannot change their gender and call themselves male or female, on a petition filed against the Transgender Protection Act 2018 related to the rights of transgender people.

According to details, two-member bench comprising acting Chief Justice Syed Muhammad Anwar and Justice Khadim Hussain of FSC delivered a reserved verdict on the petition against the Transgender Act related to the rights of trans-people.

Federal Shariat Court declared that Section 3 and 7 of Transgender Act are against the Islamic teachings and Shariat, as the Section 7 states that anybody can change their gender and get their share in inheritance as per gender.

The Section 2F of Transgender Act and rules made under the act have also been declared invalid.

The verdict stated that gender is biologically decided, it does not depend upon the feelings of a person.

“No one can be declared transgender based on physical characteristics and self-made identity,” court remarked.

The court continued that government is bound to give all rights to transgender as Islam provides all human rights to them.

The Federal Shariat Court disposed of the petitions filed against the Transgender Protection Act.