Pakistani authorities resumed issuing identity cards labeled as ‘X’ for transgender individuals this Monday, following a four-month pause instigated by a controversial ruling from the Pakistani Federal Shariat Court. The card issuance was reinstated upon instruction received by the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA).
According to Rida Qazi, Public Engagement Director at NADRA, the authority is following a constitutional obligation to issue these special ID cards to transgender individuals while the matter is under consideration in Pakistan’s Supreme Court. Qazi emphasized that NADRA has a responsibility to continue providing these IDs even before the Supreme Court’s final decision.
The issuance of ‘X’ identity cards was put on hold due to a contentious Federal Shariat Court ruling in May. The court overturned significant portions of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, a law that aimed to protect the rights of transgender individuals in Pakistan. In its ruling, the court referred to Islamic doctrine, concluding that identification of gender beyond that assigned at birth is not in agreement with Islamic principles.
The international human rights organization Amnesty International expressed its concern over this ruling, noting that it marked a significant setback for Pakistan’s already marginalized transgender and gender-diverse community. The organization criticized the court’s decision, arguing that it was based more on presumptions than factual evidence.
Despite these setbacks, the resumption of the ‘X’ card issuance was welcomed by Nayyab Ali, Executive Director of Transgender Rights Consultants Pakistan. She celebrated the decision, offering “congratulations to the entire community of transgender activists in Pakistan for your relentless struggle.”