ABBOTTABAD: A transgender woman was shot dead and another seriously injured in an act of targeted violence during a wedding ceremony in the Abbottabad jurisdiction of Mirpur Police Station on Nari Road, shaking the local transgender community and prompting protests.
According to initial reports, Zebi, a transgender woman from Sargodha, was killed on the spot when an unidentified assailant opened fire indiscriminately at a wedding event. Another transgender woman, Banish, a resident of Lahore, sustained critical injuries and was immediately shifted to a nearby hospital for emergency medical treatment.
Eyewitnesses said the attacker entered the gathering and, without warning, began firing at the victims, causing panic among attendees. The motive appeared personal, but the violent nature of the assault has raised serious concerns about the safety and security of transgender individuals in the region.
Following the attack, members of the transgender community staged a protest outside the Mirpur Police Station. In a show of anger and grief, they also blocked the Silk Road (Shahrah-e-Resham), one of the main thoroughfares in Abbottabad, disrupting traffic and causing considerable hardship to the public.
Protesters held placards and shouted slogans, demanding justice for the slain Zebi and protection for their community. “We are humans too — we deserve safety and dignity,” one protester remarked. They called for swift legal action against the perpetrator and urged the government to implement protective measures for transgender individuals, who often face systemic violence and discrimination.
Police officials confirmed that the suspect had been arrested shortly after the incident. A case has been registered based on the statement of the injured victim, Banish, and further investigations are currently underway.
Preliminary findings suggest that the suspect had a personal relationship with Zebi, and a conflict allegedly emerged over photographs found on Zebi’s mobile phone. Investigators believe this dispute may have led to the violent outburst.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage on social media and among human rights organisations, who are demanding accountability and long-term reforms to ensure the safety of Pakistan’s marginalised transgender community.This tragic episode adds to the growing list of violent attacks on transgender persons in the country, highlighting the urgent need for both legal protection and societal change.
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