#Nayyab Ali

[yourdailyqueer]

Nayyab Ali

Gender: Transgender woman

Sexuality: Queer

DOB: N/A

Ethnicity: Pakistani

Occupation: Activist, researcher, teacher, politician

Note: Became one of the first, amongst thirteen transgender candidates, to run for election in the 2018 Pakistan election. First Pakistani to receive the GALA award. First Transgender Woman to be elected as co-chairperson of EVAW/G Alliance. In 2020, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Pakistan declared Ali as a Gender Equality Advocate in Pakistan.

[planetransgender]

Police laugh at Transgender People Protesting Violence in Pakistan

Police laugh at Transgender People Protesting Violence in Pakistan

Islamabad Pakistan – (PT) The police were seen laughing at transgender and cisgender allies who gathered at the National Press Club in Islamabad Friday. They were there to protest the recent increase of violence and killings of transgender people and law enforcement’s refusal to treat them as citizens. Transgender activist and catalyst for change Nayyab Ali was incensed at a group of police who…

[clusterassets]

New world news from Time: Out of the Shadows: Pakistan’s Transgender Candidates Step Onto the Political Stage

Each week, residents of Islamabad call in to Nadeem Kashish’s radio show to vent frustration with the problems bedeviling Pakistan’s capital: a lack of running water; chronic electrical outages; soaring rent prices. On air, Kashish’s voice crackles with energy, imploring listeners to vote and hold politicians accountable on their campaign promises. But the program has been flooded in recent weeks by a new kind of call: Well-wishers ring in to congratulate the 35-year-old transgender woman on her bid to take the political reins of the capital — a coveted constituency where she will face off against several political heavyweights.

“I am running against big names like Imran Khan and former Prime Minister Shahid Abbasi, and I’m not considered a real threat,” Kashish, who is running as an independent in Pakistan’s nationwide elections on Wednesday, tells TIME. When she’s canvassing voters door-to-door, some jeer and poke fun at her appearance; she has close-cropped hair, sometimes wears lipstick, and does not conform to gender binarism. “People hear about my election run and think it’s a joke, they just start to laugh,” Kashish says, imitating her critics with a high-pitched chuckle.

Kashish, whose family disowned her at a young age, is an unconventional politician. She lives in a group home of transgender people in one of Islamabad’s grittiest slums, Mohallah Noori Bagh, Bari Imam. Kashish is one of a handful of transgender candidates stepping up to run for public office. The Muslim-majority country of 207 million gave transgender citizens the right to vote in 2011, and this week will see three transgender candidates running for seats in the National Assembly, as well as two others for seats in provincial legislatures.

Read more:Cricket Hero Imran Khan Led Pakistan’s Team to Victory. As a Politician, He’s Riding a Populist Wave

Advocates estimate that Pakistan’s transgender community numbers half a million, though official census figures count them at 10,000. South Asian society has traditionally viewed the hijras or khwaja siras, as they are sometimes known locally, with a mixture of veneration and suspicion; believed to have mystical powers, many people fear their curses but invite them to bless childbirth and marriage ceremonies. During colonial rule, the British enacted the Criminal Tribes Act in 1871, which branded hijras and other social minorities as threats to public order and morality. Members of the marginalized group have historically been relegated to begging — even today, it is not uncommon to see trans men and women panhandling at stoplights in major cities.

Asif Hassan—AFP/Getty ImagesA Pakistani transgender activist poses for a photograph as they take part in a demonstration in Karachi on Nov. 20, 2017.

The transgender community has made tremendous strides in terms of legal rights in post-Independence Pakistan, though they still face discrimination, harrassment and societal exclusion. A 2009 Supreme Court verdict officially recognized the rights of those identifying as third gender, and in May, the National Assembly passed a landmark Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act enshrining basic rights and outlawing harassment and discrimination. But a string of killings just this year underscored the violence and discrimination still faced by the trans community. This month, a transgender citizen was shot dead at a wedding in the eastern province of Punjab, while in March another was murdered by motorcyclists in an apparent hate crime in the frontier city of Peshawar. The TransAction Alliance, a Pakistani trans-rights organization, has reported more than 50 such deaths in the last three years.

“Until you can influence the laws, you are their slaves — you are following rules and laws set by someone else,” says Nayyab Ali, a 26-year-old transgender candidate running in her hometown Okara, a city in Punjab, the country’s most populous province. Running on the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Gulalai party ticket, Ali is one of the few transgender candidates representing a political party; most have shied away from trans candidates, viewing them as novelty runs that attract attention but yield few votes. Ali, who was attacked with acid by a previous boyfriend, is hopeful that she can advance transgender, minority and human rights. “We are not just the voice of the transgender community, we are also the voice of women and minorities,” she says. “If you want a real change, vote transgender.”

Read more: Ahead of Pakistan’s Elections, Transgender Activists Push for a Seat at the Table

Activists say there are still barriers even getting the community to the polling stations, despite at least 25 transgender people serving as election observers. Separate male and female polling stations lead some to fear harassment if they are seen to be entering the “wrong” station. Others stay away because they lack identity cards listing them as being transgender, despite recent electoral reforms promising expedited documents. Moreover, many transgender people are registered to vote in home districts from which they have been ostracized.

“This is everyone’s story,” says Kashish, whose own family banished her from their home in Multan, seven hours away by road from Islamabad. But while she may not be welcome in her own home, Kashish has found a place in the lives of her listeners — even if elections don’t end in her favor. “My voice has traveled far, it’s reaching the whole world,” she says. “This is my victory; if you go in front of people and show your character, they will accept you.”

July 23, 2018 at 02:40PM ClusterAssets Inc., https://ClusterAssets.wordpress.com

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Nayyab Ali is one of four transgender women standing in Pakistan's general elections on 25 July. from BBC News - World https://ift.tt/2A1jxv4

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Nayyab Ali is one of four transgender women standing in Pakistan's general elections on 25 July. from BBC News - Home https://ift.tt/2A1jxv4

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Nayyab Ali is one of four transgender women standing in Pakistan's general elections on 25 July. from BBC News - Home https://ift.tt/2A1jxv4

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Nayyab Ali is one of four transgender women standing in Pakistan's general elections on 25 July. from BBC News - World https://ift.tt/2A1jxv4 via IFTTT

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The transgender acid attack survivor running for parliament

Nayyab Ali is one of four transgender women standing in Pakistan's general elections on 25 July. from BBC News - World https://ift.tt/2A1jxv4 via IFTTT from Blogger https://ift.tt/2LkiGdF

[vijaykumarnayak]

Nayyab Ali is one of four transgender women standing in Pakistan's general elections on 25 July.

[planetransgender]

Beloved trans woman Beenish murdered in Islamabad

Beloved trans woman Beenish murdered in Islamabad



“Beenish, was shot dead at the sector E-11 of the federal capital. The reasons for the killing have so far been unknown, nor a case of the incident is reported to be registered” according to nayadaur.tv

Beenish was a loving and caring person and her murder won’t go unpunished. My friend Nayyab Ali Transgender Rights Expert Consultant at United Nations Development Programme wrote.

“She was my…

[topnewsfromtheworld]

The transgender acid attack survivor running for parliament

Nayyab Ali is one of four transgender women standing in Pakistan's general elections on 25 July. from BBC News - World https://ift.tt/2A1jxv4

[clusterassets]

New world news from Time: Ahead of Pakistan’s Elections, Transgender Activists Push for a Seat at the Table

Pakistan’s transgender community recently celebrated the passage of a landmark law recognizing their basic rights. The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill 2017 allowed citizens to determine their own gender identity, as well as banning harassment and discrimination against transgender people by employers, education services, and healthcare providers.

Pakistan became one of a handful of nations that provide protections for the minority, known locally in the country as khwaja siras — an umbrella term for members of the “third sex” community.

Historically, transgender people have occupied a complicated position in South Asian societies across Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan. They are sometimes revered for supposed mystical powers, or invited to dance at auspicious events like weddings and births to bless the parties. Others see khwaja siras as misfits, relegating them to begging and prostitution to make a living. In Pakistan, attitudes toward transgender people can turn deadly. Earlier this year, a transgender woman was shot dead because she didn’t have change to break a higher currency note. In 2016, a community activist died of gunshot wounds because the hospital couldn’t decide which ward, male or female, to admit her to.

“Transgender people have been recognized in South Asia for centuries — the gender binary idea came into the picture only when the colonizers arrived,” says Omar Waraich, deputy director of Amnesty International in South Asia. “Sadly, they are ostracized and treated as freakshows by large sections of society.”

The new law is the latest step in a series of slow but significant developments that have helped Pakistan’s khwaja siras gain recognition. The community was first legally recognized in 2009 in a Supreme Court ruling that stated transgender people could obtain national identity cards with a third sex option. In 2013, Bindiya Rana, became one of the first legally recognized transgender women to stand in elections, and last year saw the country’s first third-gender passport being issued. In March, journalist Marvia Malik became Pakistan’s first transgender news anchor.

In the run up to Pakistan’s general elections on July 25, the law has taken on a new significance. About 13 transgender people were initially contesting seats this year. But nine candidates have reportedly dropped out due to financial constraints and public harassment to withdraw their nominations, underscoring the obstacles transgender people continue to face.

“For me, the real historic moment will be when a transgender candidate wins a seat,” Waraich says. “No one can say whether that will happen in these elections but you do get a sense that there is a sense of wanting to try something different.”

Ahead of the polls, TIME spoke to transgender activists who are spurred by a desire to help Pakistan’s transgender community have a voice in the national dialogue.

Bindiya Rana, chairperson, Gender Interactive Alliance Pakistan

Insiya Syed—ReutersBindiya Rana, a transgender independent candidate for the elections, during a pre-election analysis program in Karachi April 23, 2013.

“I was one of the first legally recognized members of my community to stand for elections in the 2013 polls. I ran because I wanted to show people that transgenders are just as capable as others and to inspire others like me. Despite the new law, there is no mention of khwaja siras in party manifestos and no reservation for us in government bodies.

The last national census listed just over 10,000 transgenders in all of Pakistan but the actual number is much higher. It felt like they don’t consider us as citizens. And it’s because of that census report that we couldn’t get the 5% reservations that we asked for in the bill. That’s why our community has to fight these elections for a seat at the table.”

Nayyab Ali, candidate in 2018 elections and national spokesperson, All Pakistan Transgender Election Network

Courtesy of Nayyab Ali.Nayyab Ali campaigning ahead of Pakistan’s upcoming general elections.

“The transgender community is progressing slowly in Pakistan — we’re finding positions in various industries like education and journalism. But the real change-making power lies in politics, which is why I’m contesting the elections this year. We need to be part of the legislative process to better our community. It’s nice to talk about acceptance and social inclusion but the ground realities need to change, too.

The new bill is encouraging though there’s still a lot of work to be done. Committees will be set up, policies drafted, by-laws framed and we need to be part of that. We now have something to work toward though there’s a long way to go. But I’m positive, there has been a lot of support and goodwill so far.”

Mehlab Jameel, activist, involved in the drafting process of the new law

“I realized the importance of having a voice in the legislative process while drafting the new bill. One of the earliest versions had a clause that allowed for a screening committee to administer medical tests and decide who was and wasn’t a transgender. That went completely against our rights — we need to be recognized on our own terms.

That’s why when we had a chance to sit down with parliamentarians and the National Commission for Human Rights, the body that was tasked with drafting a new bill, we pushed for self-perceived gender identification. They were very understanding and heard us out and finally gave into our demand. But without that dialogue this wouldn’t have happened.

The transgender community is active now and the momentum is with us. We have to build on it during the elections.”

July 19, 2018 at 11:06AM ClusterAssets Inc., https://ClusterAssets.wordpress.com

[thelahorepost-blog]

Iran warns Pakistan of Islamic State presence along Pak-Afghan border

ISLAMABAD .: Iran has warned Pakistan to careful as the Islamic State is being relocated in border region shared between Pakistan and Afgahnistan. Official sources told The Express Tribune that a senior Iranian official informed a delegation led by Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) Ashtar Ausaf Ali that Iran have credible intelligence reports that the US has relocated Da’esh and its heads Abu Bakar Baghdadi to Afghanistan. The official also informed that the US and Israel intend to turn Pakistan and Iran into another Syria, Iraq, Libya and Afghanistan. A delegation led by Ashtar Ausaf Ali visited Iran on the invitation of Iranian AG Muhammad Jaffer Monatazeri two weeks ago to discuss various issues, especially related to the judiciary of both countries. The AGP was accompanied with Additional Attorney General Syed Nayyar Rizvi and Deputy Attorney General Syed Nayyab Gardezi. The visit remained successful in various ways. Both sides agreed to establish a working group for sharing information, exchange of prisoners, exchange of focal points from National Commission on Human Rights, etc. Foreign policy experts are giving much importance to Iranian message regarding Da’esh’s presence in Afghanistan and the support provided to it by the US. The Foreign Office is also repeatedly questioning the increase of Da’esh’s presence in Afghanistan. Russia, Tajikistan, etc., have already shown concerns over alleged US’ backing to Da’esh. Recently, Tajikistan’s ambassador in Pakistan, while addressing a news conference on May 16, expressed concern over the increase in the influence of Da’esh in Afghanistan, adding that its presence is big threat for the peace of whole region. The other significant outcome of the visit was that the delegation has been informed that the Iranian Supreme leader has directed the Iranian judiciary to help the oppressed people of Kashmir against injustice meted out to them. It is learnt that AGP Ashtar Ausaf also appreciated the stance taken by the Supreme leader on Kashmir. Similarly, sources reveal that Iran also requested the extradition of individuals, who had committed crimes in Iran and escaped in Pakistan. Meanwhile, Iranian AG, while meeting with the delegation, mentioned that four Iranian border guards were killed when terrorists attacked them at the Pakistan-Iran border. He also told the delegation that Iran wants cooperation in intelligence sharing and tackling drugs trafficking from Pakistan. The official sources reveal that the Iranian AG also expressed hope that the cooperation on terrorism would help Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan to counter Da’esh in the region. He also proposed the formulation of Working Group compromising people who are experts in the field of law, intelligence and security to resolve issues pertaining to judiciary as both countries are lacking cooperation on fighting terrorism and narcotics. Both the AGs agreed to establish a working group of prisoners and drug-related offenses from the ministry of foreign affairs, Iranian intelligence agencies, AG office, and ministry of justice. With regards to the human rights issue, the Iranian AG proposed to support each other at international forum and suggested to exchange 151 Iranian prisoners. He stated that they are ready to nominate the members of working group. However, he expected a list of prisoners and convicted Iranian nationals in Pakistan’s custody. He highlighted the issue of missing soldier Saeed Barani to which the AGP assured that he would discuss this issue with relevant quarters and he would update to Ambassador of Pakistan in Tehran. The delegation led by AGP Ashtar Ausaf Ali also met Minister for Justice of Iran Seyyed Ali Reza, who appreciated Pakistan’s judiciary‘s role for upholding the rule of law in the country. The minister believes that the courts can play its role in securing human rights and guaranteeing its implementation. The AGP while meeting with counterpart recommended for establishing a direct email link so it would be easy for both states to peruse urgent matter with the relevant ministers/ departments. He also proposed that Pakistan and Iran to work together at international fora. “There we can have one voice and once stance in international organisations and we should play a leading role in these organizations,” he added. It is also learnt that the AGP office has sent a complete report regarding the outcome of visit to Prime Minister and relevant quarters. Read the full article

[india-lgbt-news]

Transgender activist Nayyab Ali to contest Pakistan national election @htTweets https://t.co/pHNPFkWv3K

— LGBTQ India News (@LgbtqIndia) May 7, 2018

[vijaykumarnayak]

Nayyab Ali is one of four transgender women standing in Pakistan's general elections on 25 July.