ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) on Monday issued a licence to a transgender woman for the first time on the special directives of the capital police’s chief.

The inspector general of police (IGP) issued the directives that the woman, Laila Ali, had been driving her car without a licence for a decade.

Laila Ali, who is listed as Mohammad Ali on her CNIC and driving licence, told Dawn she was visiting the IGP office to discuss the issues and problems faced by the transgender community in the federal capital, including victimisation by the police. She said that about a fortnight ago, the police had registered a false case against some transgender women and arrested them.

She said that during discussions, the IGP came to know that she owned a car but has been driving it without a licence. She said the police chief assured her that problems faced by the transgender community will be addressed and offered to issue her a driving licence from ITP.

Ms Ali said the IGP asked her why she did not have a licence yet and that she told him she had requested the Rawalpindi police once but was not given an encouraging response.

“When he offered me a licence, I agreed on the spot as I have wanted a driving licence for so long,” she said, adding that the IGP called the senior superintendent of police (SSP) traffic and asked him to make Ms Ali’s driving licence.

Citizens whose address on their CNICs are outside the capital territory cannot apply to the ITP for a driving licence except if they come with a recommendation. Laila Ali said her NGO looks after some 200 transgender women, all of whom are driving cars without a licence.

“How will we make driving licences when we face so many problems in making a CNIC,” she asked.

Published in Dawn, November 27th, 2018

Opinion

Editorial

Smog hazard
Updated 05 Nov, 2024

Smog hazard

The catastrophe unfolding in Lahore is a product of authorities’ repeated failure to recognise environmental impact of rapid urbanisation.
Monetary policy
05 Nov, 2024

Monetary policy

IN an aggressive move, the State Bank on Monday reduced its key policy rate by a hefty 250bps to 15pc. This is the...
Cultural power
05 Nov, 2024

Cultural power

AS vital modes of communication, art and culture have the power to overcome social and international barriers....
Disregarding CCI
Updated 04 Nov, 2024

Disregarding CCI

The failure to regularly convene CCI meetings means that the process of democratic decision-making is falling apart.
Defeating TB
04 Nov, 2024

Defeating TB

CONSIDERING the fact that Pakistan has the fifth highest burden of tuberculosis in the world as per the World Health...
Ceasefire charade
Updated 04 Nov, 2024

Ceasefire charade

The US talks of peace, while simultaneously arming and funding their Israeli allies, are doomed to fail, and are little more than a charade.