PESHAWAR, July 12: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government on Tuesday devised a code for transvestites, performing in wedding parties and other festivities, to curtail incidents of their harassment.

Mian Iftikhar Hussain, the provincial government spokesperson, told journalists here on Tuesday about the measures, aimed at curbing exploitation of transvestites.

A group of transvestites was also present on the occasion.

Some persons near Bakhsho area of Kazana police station reportedly abused and beaten up a group of transvestites besides shaving off their heads on Sunday night after they performed in a wedding party.

On Monday, a number of transvestites under the banners of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Shemale Association staged a protest demonstration against the incident and demanded protection for their community.

“Transvestites are human beings and they have equal rights as men and women enjoy in our country. So we want to make it clear that providing protection to this segment is also responsibility of government and we will ensure it,” Mr Hussain said.

He condemned the Sunday’s night incident and said that police had arrested nine persons, reportedly involved in the crime, and produced them before the court, which would decide their fate.

To avoid such type of incidents in future, he said, the government in consultation with the representatives of transvestites decided that those wishing to take transvestites for performance in their parties would get their particulars registered at the police station concerned.

“Similarly, all such parties will be closed at 12pm so that the transvestites can reach their homes safely,” he added.

Mr Hussain asked people not to tease transvestites. He said that the code would be implemented initially in the provincial capital but it could be replicated in other places, wherever such problems were reported.

To a question, he said that in line with the Supreme Court of Pakistan’s orders, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government was reviewing different proposals to offer alternative sources of livelihood to transvestites.

“There are many areas such as intelligence gathering or service delivery in health and education sectors where transvestites can be recruited,” he said.

Sanam, joint secretary of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Shemale Association, expressed satisfaction over the government response.