March 6, 2025
By Rehan Piracha
LAHORE
In a shocking case of alleged discrimination which has already prompted an official inquiry, a child with hearing and speech disabilities was reportedly expelled from a special needs school in Muzaffargarh, South Punjab—simply for having ‘overly feminine’ body language. Allegedly the child had been associating with the transgender community, which the school administration allegedly disapproved of, causing the incident to come to light.
The child, Shahid Ali son of Zakir Shah, was a fifth-grade student at the Government Special School for Deaf and Mute in Alipur Tehsil, Muzaffargarh.
Shahid’s parents reached out to Shahana Abbas Shani, the president of the Transgender Association, who revealed to the media that the child had been expelled just days before his exams were set to begin. The parents have demanded immediate action against what they call an unjust and discriminatory decision. Shahid’s mother filed a formal complaint with Deputy Commissioner Qurat-Ul-Ain Memon, accusing the school administration of expelling her child without providing a valid reason and subjecting him to physical punishment.
As a result, DC Memon promised Shahid’s parents that action would be taken against those responsible if the ‘transgender allegation’ was true. She confirmed that an investigation into the matter is underway. The DC has already instructed the Chief Executive Officer (CEO Education), Mahjabeen, to conduct a thorough inquiry.
In a written response to Voicepk, Mahjabeen also confirmed that an inquiry into the alleged expulsion was ongoing but declined to comment further.
‘Too feminine’
According to trans-activist Shahana Abbas, when approached, the school administration had justified its move and defended its decision of expelling the student, claiming that Shahid’s behavior did not meet their ‘standards’ as being a male, he danced and his gestures were ‘inappropriate’.
Shahana Abbas condemned the school’s reasoning as blatant discrimination and a violation of human rights.
“Expelling the child at such a critical time not only damages his educational future but also represents an illegal, unethical, and direct attack on his fundamental right to education,” she told Voicepk.
According to Shahana, the school administration had acquired the thumbprints of Shahid’s illiterate parents on a plain paper in an attempt to show that the parents had agreed to withdraw their son from school on their own accord.
She urged authorities to reinstate the child immediately so he could take his exams and called for legal action against the school administration’s discriminatory practices to prevent such injustices in the future.
School admin denies allegations
On the other hand, a teacher from the school vehemently denied the allegations, saying that Shahid Ali had never been expelled for being transgender, rather it was because he had physically assaulted other students in class, within school premises.
Widespread discrimination
It is nothing new that transgender individuals in Pakistan face systemic discrimination in various aspects of life, including education, employment, and healthcare. Many are socially isolated, excluded from their families, and forced into begging or sex work due to a lack of economic opportunities. They are also frequently subjected to violence, including sexual assault, and are often ostracized by society.
In response to these challenges, the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2018 was enacted to grant legal recognition to transgender individuals and prohibit discrimination. This was followed by the Punjab Protection of Rights of Transgender Act, 2022, which further safeguards their rights, including the right to vote and stand for public office. The 2018 Act has faced criticism for lacking penalties and failing to address critical issues such as hate crimes and healthcare access.
There have also been critics of this Act as a whole, calling for a revision of an already approved legislation. In May 2023, the Federal Shariat Court temporarily halted the Act, citing ‘religious concerns’, leaving the transgender community in a state of uncertainty. This case highlights the ongoing struggles of transgender individuals in Pakistan and underscores the urgent need for systemic reforms to ensure their rights and dignity are protected.