By Pride Pakistan
In yet another troubling example of state‑enabled harassment of queer Pakistanis, police in Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, have arrested Abdul Mughiz, a resident of Bamkhel, for nothing more than expressing himself through clothing on TikTok.
According to police statements, Mughiz wore women’s clothing, posed for videos, and posted them online. Authorities claim these acts were “indecent” and “sparked public resentment”. He was charged under Section 294 of the Pakistan Penal Code, a provision that criminalises “obscene acts” in public places , a vague and subjective law that has repeatedly been weaponised against LGBTQI individuals in Pakistan, particularly in KPK.
📜 Section 294: A Tool for Suppression
Section 294 PPC states:
“Whoever, to the annoyance of others, does any obscene act in any public place… shall be punished with imprisonment… or with fine, or with both.”
Human rights observers note that this law is often applied selectively, targeting transgender women, queer men, and Khawaja Sira communities for their gender expression, while similar acts by cisgender, heterosexual individuals are ignored.
🚨 A Pattern of Persecution in KPK
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has seen repeated incidents of harassment, violence, and even killings of LGBTQI people:
- Harassment & Arbitrary Arrests: Transgender women in Peshawar and Mardan have reported being detained under morality laws for wearing “inappropriate” clothing or performing at private events.
- Targeted Killings: Activists have documented multiple murders of trans women in KPK over the past decade, often after threats from extremist groups. In many cases, perpetrators were never brought to justice.
- Police Extortion: Reports indicate that police have used the threat of Section 294 charges to extort money or sexual favours from queer individuals, particularly those working as dancers or in informal economies.
These abuses occur despite the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act 2018, which legally recognises gender identity and prohibits discrimination, a law whose protections are routinely undermined by societal prejudice and selective enforcement of morality provisions.
🌈 Why Abdul Mughiz’s Case Matters
Mughiz’s arrest is not an isolated incident , it is part of a systemic pattern where queer expression is criminalised under the guise of “public morality.” This policing of identity not only violates Pakistan’s constitutional guarantees of equality but also fuels a climate of fear for LGBTQI people, especially in conservative regions like KPK.
📢 Pride Pakistan’s Call to Action
We demand:
- An immediate review of Section 294 to prevent its misuse against marginalised communities.
- Accountability for police harassment of LGBTQI individuals.
- Public education campaigns to challenge prejudice and promote acceptance of gender diversity.
