The ongoing violence against the transgender community in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa continues unabated, as another member of the community was brutally killed on Sunday night.
Shahab, also known as Wafa, a 28-year-old transgender person from Taru Jabba in Nowshera district, was shot dead in the Badraga area of Harichand, Tehsil Dargai, while returning from a wedding performance.
According to police, Wafa was targeted near the wedding venue’s gate when a man named Shaukat, along with an unidentified accomplice, allegedly tried to signal Wafa to stop their car, apparently in an attempt to abduct them. Instead of stopping, Wafa sped away, prompting the suspects to open fire.
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Wafa was fatally shot in the head and died on the spot, while her driver Naveed sustained serious injuries. The assailants fled the scene after the attack.
A case has been registered against Shaukat and his unknown accomplice, and a search operation has been launched to apprehend them.
Reacting to the incident, transgender leader Farzana Jan expressed deep sorrow and frustration over the continuous killings of transgender individuals.
She urged the government and human rights organizations to provide security in areas where transgender people face serious threats. “We have always raised our voice for our rights, and we will continue to do so. Protection is our basic right, and the government must take immediate and effective steps to ensure our safety,” she said.
Farzana also called for the swift arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators, demanding they be brought to justice without delay.
