Finding Your Path: Employment Support for LGBTQI Individuals in Pakistan

A Message of Hope and Practical Guidance from Pride Pakistan

Dear Friends,

We at PridePakistan.org understand the immense challenges you face as LGBTQI individuals in Pakistan, especially when it comes to securing stable and respectable employment. We hear your calls for support, your struggles with financial independence, and the profound pain of discrimination and harassment you experience in workplaces.

It breaks our hearts that we, as an organization, do not have the extensive financial resources or direct corporate ties to offer immediate jobs or direct financial aid. We recognize that many of you have already endured significant stigma, prejudice, and even expulsion from previous employment due to your queer identity. Your resilience in the face of such adversity is truly inspiring.

While we cannot directly place you in jobs, what we can do is empower you with knowledge and strategies to navigate the job market more effectively and safely. This page is dedicated to providing practical guidance on applying for jobs in Pakistan, with strategies to protect your identity, alongside information on global platforms that champion LGBTQI inclusion.

Navigating the Pakistani Job Market: Strategies for Safe Application

The reality in Pakistan is that explicit legal protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation are largely absent. While the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2018, offers some safeguards for trans and intersex individuals, general anti-discrimination laws for the broader LGBTQI community are not yet established. This makes a careful and strategic approach to job applications essential.

Our primary advice for applying to Pakistani corporate and government jobs is to focus solely on your qualifications, skills, and experience, without disclosing or describing your queer identity during the application or initial interview process.

Here’s how to approach this:

• Focus on Professionalism: Your resume, cover letter, and interview responses should highlight your professional strengths, accomplishments, and how you can contribute to the employer’s success.
• Maintain Privacy:
  • Resume/CV: Do not include any information that could hint at your sexual orientation or gender identity (unless it’s directly relevant to a specific role, which is rare, and even then, discretion is advised).
  • Cover Letter: Keep your cover letter strictly professional, addressing your suitability for the role.
  • Online Presence: Be mindful of your public social media profiles. While personal expression is vital, consider how your public online presence might be perceived by potential employers. If you have profiles that explicitly link to your queer identity, ensure your privacy settings are robust, or consider having a separate professional online persona if possible.
  • Interviews: If asked personal questions that are not related to the job, you can politely redirect by stating you prefer to keep your personal life separate from your professional life. Focus on reiterating your skills and enthusiasm for the role.
• Networking (Cautiously): While networking is crucial, be cautious about whom you disclose your identity to within professional circles in Pakistan. Build trust gradually and assess the environment before opening up.
• Research Company Culture (if possible): While difficult in Pakistan, if you have any indirect connections or can find information online, try to gauge a company’s general attitude towards diversity and inclusion. However, be aware that publicly stated policies may not always reflect the lived experience within the workplace.

Official Job Links in Pakistan

Here are some official and reputable platforms where you can search for jobs in Pakistan:

Government Jobs:

• Establishment Division (Federal Government Jobs):
  • National Jobs Portal Government Jobs online : https://www.njp.gov.pk/
  • Federal Public Service Commission : https://www.fpsc.gov.pk/
  • https://www.ajkpsc.gov.pk/home
• Pakistan Public Service Commission (PPSC), Sindh Public Service Commission (SPSC), Balochistan Public Service Commission (BPSC), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Public Service Commission (KPPSC): Each province has its own Public Service Commission for provincial government jobs. You will need to check their individual websites.
  • Punjab Job Center : https://jobcenter.punjab.gov.pk/
  • Sindh Public Service Commission : https://spsc.gos.pk/
  • ::BPSC:: https://bpsc.gob.pk/BPSC/pages?jobs
  • Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Public Service Commission : https://www.kppsc.gov.pk/
• Higher Education Commission (HEC) Career Portal: For academic and research positions.
  • https://careers.hec.gov.pk/
• Overseas Employment Corporation (OEC): For overseas job opportunities endorsed by the government.
  • https://jobs.oec.gov.pk/
• Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Online Recruitment System:
  • https://jobs.ecp.gov.pk/index.php

Corporate and Private Sector Jobs:

• Rozee.pk: One of Pakistan’s largest job portals.
  • https://hiring.rozee.pk/
• Bayt.com (Pakistan): A prominent job site across the Middle East and North Africa, with a strong presence in Pakistan.
  • https://www.bayt.com/en/pakistan/
• Indeed Pakistan: A globally recognized job search engine.
  • https://pk.indeed.com/
• Search O Pal: Another growing platform for jobs in Pakistan.
  • https://www.searchopal.com/

Exploring Global LGBTQI+ Friendly Job Platforms

While the situation in Pakistan is complex, there are global platforms dedicated to connecting LGBTQI+ professionals with inclusive employers worldwide. These can be valuable resources for remote work opportunities or if you are considering opportunities abroad. Many companies on these platforms actively champion diversity and inclusion, providing a potentially safer and more welcoming work environment.

• myGwork: A global networking hub and job board for LGBTQ+ professionals and students. They partner with LGBTQ+-inclusive organizations.
  • https://mygwork.com/
• Out In Tech Qorporate Job Board: Focuses on the tech industry and aims to advance careers for LGBTQ+ individuals. They also have a supportive Slack community.
  • https://outintech.com
• Pink Jobs: Claims to be “The world’s largest equal opportunity focused job board.” (Note: always conduct your due diligence on individual companies.)
  • https://www.pinkjobs.com/
• Gaingels Job Board: Focuses on venture capital, but lists many opportunities from companies committed to diversity and inclusion.
  • https://www.gaingels.com/
• Gender Jobs: A platform with job opportunities focused on gender equality and LGBTQI+ rights.
  • https://genderjobs.org/

Facing Discrimination at Work? Report It.

We know that even with the most careful approach, discrimination and harassment due to your queer identity can unfortunately occur in the workplace in Pakistan. It is a deeply painful and unjust experience, and you are not alone.

While legal avenues for sexual orientation discrimination are limited, Regardless of specific legal protections, we believe it is crucial to document and report such incidents. This information helps us advocate for change, understand the scope of the problem, and, where possible, offer support or guidance.

If you have faced discrimination, harassment, or expulsion from employment because of your queer identity, please report it to us. Your report will be treated with the utmost confidentiality and empathy.

https://forms.gle/Cwe36ZQiidC4aKkY9

Remember, your safety and well-being are paramount. If you feel your physical safety is at risk, please prioritize that above all else.

We Are Here for You

The journey to financial independence and a fulfilling career can be exceptionally challenging for LGBTQI individuals in Pakistan. We at PridePakistan.org stand with you. Keep building your skills, keep seeking opportunities, and remember that your worth is not defined by the narrow views of others. We are committed to fostering a Pakistan where everyone, regardless of their identity, can thrive with dignity and respect.