In a country where LGBTQI voices are often silenced, Qasim Iqbal, a leading activist, has courageously spoken out about the realities faced by queer people in Pakistan. In this short but powerful video interview with PinkNews on Jun 4, 2020, he explains how laws, social stigma, and religious hate combine to make life unsafe for LGBTQI individuals.
📢 Video Highlights
Criminalisation: Homosexuality remains illegal under Section 377 of the Penal Code, a colonial-era law still used to harass and intimidate.
Abuse of Power: Police and authorities exploit these laws to blackmail and extort LGBTQI people.
Social Stigma: Religious and cultural narratives fuel hate, forcing many into secrecy and isolation.
Resilience: Despite these challenges, activists like Qasim Iqbal continue to fight for dignity, equality, and recognition of LGBTQI rights as human rights.
Qasim’s voice represents the lived reality of thousands of LGBTQI Pakistanis who cannot speak openly. His testimony is a reminder that our struggle is not invisible and that international solidarity is essential.
Qasim Iqbal’s message is clear: LGBTQI rights are human rights. His courage in speaking out should inspire us all to continue raising awareness, challenging hate, and demanding equality in Pakistan and beyond.
پرائڈ پاکستان میں، ہمیں ہم جنس افراد کی جانب سے بے شمار پیغامات موصول ہوتے ہیں جنہوں نے ان لوگوں کے ہاتھوں ناقابلِ تصور زیادتی برداشت کی ہے جن کا کام ان کی حفاظت کرنا ہے۔ یہ کوئی الگ تھلگ کہانیاں نہیں ہیں. وہ ہانی ٹریپنگ، بلیک میل، جنسی زیادتی، جسمانیتشدد ، اور ایکسٹارشن کا ایک پریشان کن پیٹرن بناتی ہیں جو پاکستان کے ایف آئی اے، این سی سی آئی اے، پولیس، آرمی، اور انٹیلیجنس ایجنسیز سے منسلک افراد کے ذریعے انجام دی جاتی ہیں۔
بہت سے متاثرین کے لیے، اس صدمے میں خاموشی کا اضافہ ہو جاتا ہے۔ خاندان اکثر ان سے لاتعلقی اختیار کر لیتے ہیں، معاشرہ انہیں قصوروار ٹھہراتا ہے، اور ریاست ان کے وجود کو ہی کریمینلائز کرتی ہے۔ یہ آرٹیکل ان آوازوں کے لیے وقف ہے، ان لوگوں کے لیے جنہوں نے خاموشی سے تکلیف سہی، جو ابھی بھی ٹریپڈ ہیں، اور جو مزاحمت جاری رکھے ہوئے ہیں۔
پولیس پر مشتمل ہانی ٹریپ سکینڈلز
لاہور اور راولپنڈی میں، پولیس افسران سمیت متعدد گینگز کو ہانی ٹریپ سکیمیں چلانے کے الزام میں گرفتار کیا گیا۔ متاثرین کو سوشل میڈیا کے ذریعے لالچ دیا جاتا تھا، نجی فلیٹس میں بلایا جاتا تھا، پھر ان پر حملہ کیا جاتا، ان کی فلم بنائی جاتی، اور بلیک میل کیا جاتا تھا۔ ایک کیس میں، ۵۰ سے زیادہ متاثرین کی شناخت ہوئی، جن کی فحش ویڈیوز کو بے نقاب کرنے کی دھمکی دے کر پیسے بٹورنے کے لیے استعمال کیا گیا۔
بلال اسلم کا کیس (پنجاب پولیس)
حال ہی میں، ایک متاثرہ شخص نے پرائڈ پاکستان سے رابطہ کیا اور پنجاب پولیس میں ایک حاضر سروس افسر، بلال اسلم کی شناخت کی، جو ہم جنس کمیونٹی کے ارکان کو جنسی زیادتی اور بلیک میل کر رہا ہے۔ زندہ بچ جانے والے افراد رپورٹ کرتے ہیں کہ انہیں بے نقاب کرنے کی دھمکی کے تحت جنسی زیادتی پر مجبور کیا گیا، اور ان کے خلاف جھوٹے مقدمات درج ہونے سے روکنے کے لیے پیسوں کا مطالبہ کیا گیا۔ یہ کیس واضح کرتا ہے کہ قانون نافذ کرنے والے اداروں کے اندر موجود افراد کس طرح کمزور کمیونٹی کے ارکان کا شکار کرنے کے لیے اپنے آتھارٹی کا استحصال کرتے ہیں۔
ہم جنس مردوں کی منظم ہراسانی
تحقیق سے پتہ چلتا ہے کہ پاکستان میں ہم جنس مردوں کو معمول کے مطابق وربَل ہَراسمنٹ، جنسی زیادتی ، اور بلیک میل کا سامنا کرنا پڑتا ہے، اکثر ایسے لوگوں کی طرف سے جو آتھارٹی کی پوزیشنوں پر فائز ہوتے ہیں۔
قانون کا بطور ہتھیار استعمال
پینل کوڈ کی دفعہ ۳۷۷، جو ہم جنس تعلقات کو کریمینلائز کرتی ہے، کو پولیس اور ایجنسیاں اکثر مقدمہ چلانے کے لیے نہیں بلکہ ایل جی بی ٹی کیو+ افراد کو دھمکانے، پسے حتیانے، اور خاموش کرانے کے لیے استعمال کرتی ہیں۔
جس بھی شخص کو ٹریپ کیا گیا، زیادتی کیا گیا، یا بلیک میل کیا گیا: آپ کا درد حقیقی ہے، آپ کی کہانی اہمیت رکھتی ہے، اور آپ اکیلے نہیں ہیں۔
ہم جانتے ہیں کہ ایسے صدمے کے بعد رابطہ کرنے کے لیے کتنی حمت کی ضرورت ہوتی ہے۔ بہت سے زندہ بچ جانے والے شرم، خوف اور ناامیدی کے جذبات کو بیان کرتے ہیں۔ لیکن ہمیں واضح ہونے دیں: شرم مجرموں کی ہے، آپ کی نہیں۔
کمیونٹی ممبرز کے لیے حفاظتی رہنمائی
آن لائن سیفٹی
اپنی شناخت اور مقام کی حفاظت کے لیے ایک وی پی این استعمال کریں۔
ملنے سے پہلے رابطوں کی ویریفائی کریں—پہلے ویڈیو کال کریں۔
انٹیمیٹ فوٹوز یا ذاتی تفصیلات کا اشتراک کرنے سے گریز کریں۔
ریڈ فلیگز پر نظر رکھیں: رازداری، جلدی ملنے کا دباؤ، شناخت ظاہر کرنے سے انکار۔
آف لائن سیفٹی
پہلے عوامی مقامات پر ملیں۔
علیحدہ فلیٹس یا دور دراز علاقوں سے گریز کریں۔
اپنے مقام کی اطلاع کسی بھروسہ مند دوست کو دیں۔
اپنی انسٹنکٹس پر بھروسہ کریں اور اگر کچھ غیر محفوظ محسوس ہو تو وہاں سے چلے جائیں۔
ہمارا مطالبہ ہے کہ:
حکومتِ پاکستان سلامتی کے اداروں کے اندر موجود افراد، بشمول بلال اسلم، جو زیادتی اور بلیک میل میں ملوث ہیں، کی تفتیش کرے اور ان پر مقدمہ چلائے۔
بین الاقوامی انسانی حقوق کی تنظیمیں بشمول ایمنسٹی انٹرنیشنل، ہیومن رائٹس واچ، اور یو این ہیومن رائٹس کونسل، پاکستان پر دباؤ ڈالیں کہ وہ ان طریقوں کو ختم کرے اور ایل جی بی ٹی کیو+ شہریوں کی حفاظت کرے۔
گلوبل ایلائیز ان کہانیوں کو ایمپلیفائی کریں تاکہ خاموشی مجرموں کو تحفظ فراہم کرنا جاری نہ رکھے۔
سلامتی کے اداروں کی جانب سے پاکستان کی ہم جنس کمیونٹی کو نشانہ بنانا محض ہراسانی نہیں ہے—یہ اسٹیٹ-اینیبلڈ وائلنس ہے۔ ہر کہانی جو ہمیں موصول ہوتی ہے وہ تبدیلی کی فوری ضرورت کی یاد دہانی ہے۔
ہماری کمیونٹی سے: محفوظ رہیں، مضبوط رہیں، اور جان لیں کہ آپ اکیلے نہیں ہیں۔ دنیا سے: نظریں نہ پھیریں۔
At Pride Pakistan, we receive countless messages from LGBTQ+ individuals who have endured unimaginable abuse at the hands of those meant to protect them. These are not isolated stories—they form a disturbing pattern of honey trapping, blackmail, sexual abuse, torture, and extortion carried out by individuals linked to Pakistan’s FIA, NCCIA, police, army, and intelligence agencies.
For many victims, the trauma is compounded by silence. Families often disown them, society blames them, and the state criminalises their very existence. This article is dedicated to those voices, those who have suffered in silence, those who are still trapped, and those who continue to resist.
Honey Trap Scandals Involving Police: In Lahore and Rawalpindi, multiple gangs—including serving police officers, were arrested for running honey trap schemes. Victims were lured through social media, invited to private flats, then assaulted, filmed, and blackmailed. In one case, over 50 victims were identified, with explicit videos used to extort money under threat of exposure.
The Case of Bilal Aslam (Punjab Police): Recently, a victim contacted Pride Pakistan and identified Bilal Aslam, a serving officer in the Punjab Police, as someone who has been sexually abusing and blackmailing gay community members. Survivors report being coerced into sexual acts under threat of exposure, with demands for money to prevent fabricated cases being filed against them. This case highlights how individuals within law enforcement exploit their authority to prey on vulnerable community members.
Systematic Harassment of Gay Men: Research has shown that gay men in Pakistan routinely face verbal harassment, sexual violence, and blackmail, often from those in positions of authority.
Use of Law as a Weapon: Section 377 of the Penal Code, which criminalises same-sex relations, is frequently used by police and agencies not to prosecute but to threaten, extort, and silence LGBTQ+ individuals.
To every person who has been trapped, abused, or blackmailed: your pain is real, your story matters, and you are not alone.
We know the courage it takes to reach out after such trauma. Many survivors describe feelings of shame, fear, and hopelessness. But let us be clear: the shame belongs to the perpetrators, not to you.
🛡️ Safety Guidance for Community Members
Online Safety
Use a VPN to protect your identity and location.
Verify contacts before meeting—video call first.
Avoid sharing intimate photos or personal details.
Watch for red flags: secrecy, pressure to meet quickly, refusal to show identity.
Offline Safety
Meet in public places first.
Avoid isolated flats or remote areas.
Inform a trusted friend of your location.
Trust your instincts and leave if something feels unsafe.
We demand that:
The Government of Pakistan investigate and prosecute individuals within security agencies, including Bilal Aslam, who are implicated in abuse and blackmail.
International human rights organisations including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the UN Human Rights Council, pressure Pakistan to end these practices and protect LGBTQ+ citizens.
Global allies amplify these stories so that silence does not continue to shield perpetrators.
The targeting of Pakistan’s gay community by security agencies is not just harassment—it is state-enabled violence. Every story we receive is a reminder of the urgent need for change.
To our community: stay safe, stay strong, and know that you are not alone. To the world: do not look away.
If you have faced violence, harassment, blackmail, detention, or an FIR because of your real or perceived LGBTQIA+ identity, you deserve to be heard and supported. We know how frightening and isolating these experiences can be in Pakistan, especially when the harm comes from family members, community members, or state authorities.
Your report helps us document abuses, connect you with legal support, and advocate for stronger protections for LGBTQIA+ people across the country. Every story matters — and your safety comes first.
In Pakistan, where same-sex relationships remain criminalised under Section 377 of the Penal Code, the state and segments of society continue to treat homosexuality not as a natural human variation but as a “disease” to be “cured.” This dangerous belief fuels the use of conversion therapy , a discredited and harmful practice condemned by every major global psychiatric and medical body.
Instead of offering evidence-based mental health care, some psychiatric institutions in Pakistan have become tools of repression, used to silence and punish individuals for their sexual orientation. Reports received by Pride Pakistan indicate that electric shocks, forced medication, prolonged isolation, and psychological abuse are still being used under the guise of “treatment.”
The Case of Preetum Giani: 500 Days in Detention for Demanding Equality
In May 2024, Preetum Giani, a 75-year-old human rights advocate, submitted an application to the Deputy Commissioner of Abbottabad to open the Lorenzo Gay Club, a safe, non-sexual social space for the LGBTQ+ community.
The next day, on 9 May 2024, Giani was reportedly abducted by individuals linked to security agencies and transferred to the Sarhad Hospital for Psychiatric Disease in Peshawar. Friends and supporters have been denied access to him, and his current condition remains unknown.
This is not an isolated case. It is part of a broader pattern where mental health facilities are misused as detention centres for LGBTQ+ individuals, often at the request of families or under state orders. The aim is not treatment, it is erasure.
⚠️ Conversion Therapy in Pakistan: A Hidden Crisis
No legal ban: Pakistan has no laws prohibiting conversion therapy.
Widespread abuse: Reports document the use of aversion techniques, including electric shocks, forced medication, and religious indoctrination.
Family complicity: Many victims are admitted to clinics by their own relatives, often under pressure from community or religious leaders.
State involvement: In some cases, as with Giani, state actors directly facilitate or order such detentions.
These practices are scientifically baseless and have been shown to cause severe trauma, depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation.
📢 International Standards and Pakistan’s Obligations
The United Nations, World Health Organization, and Amnesty International have all declared that sexual orientation is not a disorder and that conversion therapy constitutes torture or cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment.
Pakistan is a signatory to multiple international human rights treaties, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which guarantees freedom from arbitrary detention and protection from torture. The continued detention of Preetum Giani and others like him is a clear violation of these obligations.
✊ Our Demands
Pride Pakistan calls on:
The Government of Pakistan to:
Immediately release Preetum Giani from psychiatric detention.
Ban all forms of conversion therapy and criminalise its practice.
Ensure mental health facilities operate under strict human rights oversight.
The United Nations Human Rights Council, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and other global bodies to:
Publicly condemn the detention of Giani.
Demand Pakistan’s compliance with international human rights standards.
Monitor and report on the misuse of psychiatric institutions against LGBTQ+ individuals.
The International Medical Community to:
Suspend cooperation with Pakistani mental health institutions found to be complicit in conversion therapy or arbitrary detention.
Preetum Giani’s case is a stark reminder that in Pakistan, being openly gay can mean losing your freedom, your dignity, and your safety. As we approach 500 days of his detention, silence is complicity.
We urge every ally, activist, and organisation to raise their voice. Share his story. Demand his release. And stand against the weaponisation of mental health care to erase LGBTQ+ lives.
In Pakistan, where homosexuality is criminalized under colonial-era laws, a disturbing and pervasive form of abuse is being used to silence and “correct” LGBTQ+ individuals: the forced institutionalization and abuse within psychological and mental health clinics. This practice, often referred to as “conversion therapy,” is a pseudoscientific and dangerous method that is widely condemned by medical and human rights organizations worldwide. It is a systematic violation of human rights, perpetrated against a vulnerable population with the complicit or direct involvement of state authorities and family members.
The Myth of “Conversion”
Conversion therapy is built on the false and debunked premise that homosexuality is a mental illness or a defect that can be “cured.” All major medical and psychological associations, including the American Psychological Association and the World Psychiatric Association, have stated that homosexuality is a natural and normal variation of human sexuality. They have concluded that conversion therapy is not only ineffective but is also deeply harmful, leading to severe psychological damage, including depression, anxiety, self-harm, and suicidal ideation.
Despite this global scientific consensus, these practices persist in Pakistan and other countries where homophobia is enshrined in law and social norms. In many cases, families, influenced by social stigma and religious ideology, commit their LGBTQ+ relatives to these clinics. State authorities may also directly intervene, using these institutions as a means of social control and punishment for those who dare to live openly. The institutions themselves often operate in a gray area, claiming to provide “treatment” for a non-existent disease, while subjecting individuals to barbaric and abusive practices.
Torture and Abuse Behind Closed Doors
The methods used in these clinics are not therapeutic; they are forms of torture. Survivors of conversion therapy have reported enduring physical and psychological torment. These practices can include:
Aversion Therapy: This includes the use of electric shocks and nausea-inducing drugs administered in conjunction with same-sex imagery. The goal is to create a painful association with same-sex attraction, conditioning the individual to feel aversion rather than desire.
Physical and Sexual Abuse: Some reports have documented physical beatings and sexual assault as a means of “punishment” for homosexual behavior.
Forced Confinement and Isolation: Individuals are often held against their will, cut off from their friends and support networks, and subjected to constant surveillance and manipulation.
Verbal and Psychological Abuse: Patients are frequently subjected to humiliation, verbal abuse, and religious indoctrination aimed at instilling shame and guilt about their identity.
Forced Medication: In some cases, individuals are forcibly given hormones or other medications in an attempt to “correct” their sexual orientation.
These practices are not only a violation of the right to health and bodily autonomy but are also a direct breach of the prohibition against cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment, which can, in severe cases, amount to torture under international law.
Release Preetum Giani: A Demand to End Imprisonment for Being Gay in Pakistan
The case of Preetum Giani is a stark example of the human rights violations and psychological abuse faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in Pakistan. His detention, reportedly for the sole act of seeking to create a safe space for the gay community, is a grave injustice. We demand the immediate and unconditional release of Preetum Giani and all other individuals unjustly detained for their sexual orientation or for speaking in support of gay rights. We urge the government of Pakistan to end the use of psychological clinics and other forms of “conversion therapy” as a tool for state-sanctioned torture and persecution. This is a call to action for the international community, including human rights organizations and the United Nations, to pressure the Pakistani authorities to uphold the fundamental human rights of all citizens, regardless of their sexual orientation, and to end these inhumane practices.
The Broader Human Rights Crisis
The use of “conversion therapy” is a symptom of a much larger human rights crisis facing LGBTQ+ individuals in Pakistan. The Pakistani Penal Code, a remnant of British colonial rule, criminalizes “carnal intercourse against the order of nature,” with penalties of life imprisonment. This law creates a climate of fear and vulnerability, making LGBTQ+ people susceptible to harassment, extortion, and violence from both state and non-state actors.
The lack of legal protections against discrimination, combined with widespread social and religious prejudice, means that LGBTQ+ individuals often have no recourse when they are abused by their families or the state. The case of an individual being detained in a mental health clinic after applying to open a gay club in Abbottabad highlights how state agencies and the medical establishment work in tandem to suppress and punish any form of LGBTQ+ visibility and advocacy.
International Response
The international community has increasingly recognized and condemned conversion therapy as a grave human rights violation. The UN Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity has called for a global ban on these practices, stating that they are “inherently discriminatory” and can amount to “torture and ill-treatment.” The UN Human Rights Council has also passed resolutions on the issue, urging states to take measures to protect LGBTQ+ individuals from violence and discrimination.
Human rights organizations like Amnesty International and others have consistently documented abuses and advocated for the decriminalization of homosexuality and the protection of LGBTQ+ rights. They have called on governments to enact legislation that bans conversion therapy and ensures that LGBTQ+ people are not subjected to abuse under the guise of medical treatment.
The silence and inaction surrounding these abuses must end. It is imperative that the world takes notice of the suffering of LGBTQ+ individuals in Pakistan and other countries where such practices are used to enforce conformity and punish identity. The time for a comprehensive and coordinated global response is now.
ہم آپ کا درد سنتے ہیں۔ ہر وہ پیغام جو ہمیں ملتا ہے، جس میں ناقابلِ برداشت نفسیاتی دباؤ، خاندان کی عزت کا خوف، جبری شادیوں اور الماری میں چھپ کر جینے کے گہرے جذباتی اثرات کا ذکر ہوتا ہے، ہمارے دل توڑ دیتا ہے۔ ہم جانتے ہیں کہ ہر پیغام کے پیچھے بے پناہ حوصلے اور خاموش اذیت کی ایک کہانی ہے۔ ہم اس مایوسی کو سمجھتے ہیں جو خودکشی کے خیالات تک لے جاتی ہے اور اس تلخ حقیقت کو بھی کہ ہمارے بہت سے ساتھی اس جنگ میں اپنی جان گنوا بیٹھے ہیں۔
پرائیڈ پاکستان میں ہم چاہتے ہیں کہ آپ جانیں: آپ اکیلے نہیں ہیں۔ آپ کی شناخت کوئی بیماری نہیں۔ آپ کے احساسات درست ہیں۔
اگرچہ ہمارے پاس مفت، پیشہ ورانہ نفسیاتی خدمات فراہم کرنے کے وسائل نہیں، ہم آپ کو یہ علم اور اوزار ضرور دے سکتے ہیں کہ آپ اپنی مدد محفوظ اور رازدارانہ طریقے سے حاصل کر سکیں۔ یہ صفحہ پاکستان اور دنیا بھر میں ذہنی صحت کی معاونت تلاش کرنے کے لیے ایک رہنما ہے، جس میں آپ کی حفاظت اور بھلائی کو اولین ترجیح دی گئی ہے۔
پاکستان میں ذہنی صحت کی دیکھ بھال کا سفر
ہم جانتے ہیں کہ پاکستان میں ایک معاون ذہنی صحت کے ماہر کو تلاش کرنا مشکل ہو سکتا ہے۔ جج کیے جانے کا خوف، مذہبی لیکچر سننے کا خطرہ، یا آپ کی شناخت کو “بیماری” قرار دینا , یہ سب حقیقی اور خوفناک رکاوٹیں ہیں۔
مدد لیتے وقت آپ کی پہلی ترجیح آپ کی حفاظت اور رازداری ہونی چاہیے۔ ہم مشورہ دیتے ہیں کہ ماہرِ نفسیات سے بات کرتے وقت اپنی علامات اور ذہنی کیفیت پر توجہ دیں، اپنی جنسی رجحان یا صنفی شناخت فوراً ظاہر کرنے کی ضرورت نہیں۔ آپ اپنی زندگی کے ماہر ہیں۔ آپ کو یہ حق ہے کہ آپ اپنی ذہنی صحت کے مسائل — چاہے وہ اضطراب، ڈپریشن، دباؤ یا صدمہ ہوں — کے لیے مدد لیں، بغیر یہ وضاحت دیے کہ آپ کون ہیں۔
پیشہ ورانہ اخلاقیات دیکھیں: ایسے ماہرین تلاش کریں جو معتبر نفسیاتی اداروں کے رکن ہوں۔ علامات پر توجہ دیں، شناخت پر نہیں: مثال کے طور پر، “میں ہم جنس پرست ہوں اس لیے افسردہ ہوں” کے بجائے کہیں “میں شدید افسردگی اور اضطراب کا شکار ہوں، خاندان اور معاشرے کے دباؤ سے نمٹنا مشکل ہو رہا ہے۔” اعتماد آہستہ آہستہ قائم کریں: اگر ماہر ہمدرد اور معاون ہو تو آپ بعد میں اپنی شناخت بتا سکتے ہیں، لیکن یہ آپ پر لازم نہیں۔
پاکستان میں دستیاب ذہنی صحت کی خدمات
سرکاری و تعلیمی ادارے
ہمراز ۱۱۶۶: سرکاری ایپ اور ہیلپ لائن، مفت رہنمائی اور ریفرل۔
نیشنل انسٹیٹیوٹ آف سائیکالوجی کونسلنگ: کم لاگت یا سلائیڈنگ فیس، آن لائن یا بالمشافہ۔
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.
On Sunday, September 7, 2025, Pride Pakistan and Rang are coming together for a powerful and heartfelt Instagram Live session titled “Being Positive.” This cross-border collaboration will bring together voices from Pakistan and beyond to share lived experiences, challenge stigma, and celebrate resilience within the Hum Jins (LGBTQI) community.
About the Event
“Being Positive” is more than just a conversation, it’s a space for truth, empathy, and solidarity. The session will explore what it means to live authentically while navigating personal and societal challenges, with a focus on HIV awareness, mental health, and intersectional identities.
Meet the Speakers
From Rang:Ritash A 52 year old neuroqueer, gender-fluid ACE individual with invisibilized disabilities and chronic illnesses. Ritash has journeyed from writing and testing software to chronicling the stories of people and places. They are an LGBTIQAP+ peer counsellor, gender and intersectionality trainer, and research advisor, bringing a wealth of lived experience and professional insight.
From Pride Pakistan:Ali Raza Khan An HIV positive gay activist from Pakistan, Ali has been a steadfast voice for the Hum Jins community, advocating for visibility, acceptance, and the dismantling of stigma surrounding HIV and queer identities.
When & Where
📅 Date: Sunday, September 7, 2025 🕗 Time: 8:00 PM Pakistan Time | 8:30 PM India Time 📍 Platform: Instagram Live Follow @rang.org2020 and @PridePak to join the session.
Why You Should Join
This live session is an opportunity to:
Hear personal stories of resilience and hope.
Learn about HIV realities and the importance of breaking stigma.
Connect with a supportive, inclusive community across borders.
Whether you are part of the Hum Jins community, an ally, or simply someone who believes in equality and compassion, your presence matters. Together, we can create a world where every identity is celebrated and every voice is heard.
🌈 Being Positive – Join us LIVE this Sunday! Rang & Pride Pakistan come together for an empowering cross-border conversation on resilience, HIV awareness, and living authentically. Your voice matters, be part of the dialogue! 💬✨ 📅 Sunday, 7 Sept 2025 | 8 PM PKT | 8:30 PM IST 📍 Instagram Live : @rang.org2020 & @PridePak
We hear your pain. Every message we receive about the unbearable psychological pressure, the fear of family honor, the forced marriages, and the deep emotional toll of living in the closet, breaks our hearts. We know that behind every message is a story of immense courage and silent suffering. We understand the despair that leads to thoughts of suicide and the tragic reality that too many of our community members have been lost to this battle.
At PridePakistan.org, we want you to know you are not alone. Your identity is not a disease. Your feelings are valid.
While our organization does not have the funds to provide free, professional psychological services, what we can do is empower you with the knowledge and tools to seek the help you need, safely and discreetly. This page is a guide to finding mental health support, both in Pakistan and globally, with a focus on your well-being and security.
Navigating Mental Health Care in Pakistan
We know that finding a supportive mental health professional in Pakistan can be a challenge. The fear of being judged, facing religious sermons, or being told that your identity is a “disease” is a very real and terrifying barrier. We have heard your stories, and we acknowledge the deep wounds caused by such encounters.
When seeking help in Pakistan, your first priority is your safety and privacy.
We advise you to approach mental health professionals with a focus on your symptoms and well-being, without necessarily disclosing your sexual orientation or gender identity upfront. You are the expert on your own life. You have the right to seek help for the mental health issues you’re facing—be it anxiety, depression, stress, or trauma—without having to justify or explain who you are.
Check for Professional Ethics: Look for professionals who are registered with reputable psychological associations. They are bound by professional ethics that prioritize patient care over personal beliefs.
Focus on Symptoms, Not Identity: Instead of saying, “I am depressed because I am gay,” you can say, “I am struggling with deep depression and anxiety. I feel immense pressure from my family and society, and it’s making it hard to function.”
Build Trust Gradually: If you find a professional who is supportive and empathetic, you may choose to reveal more of your identity later, but you are never obligated to do so. Your mental health is the priority.
Pakistan-based mental health services
Below are options grouped by government, private platforms/directories, and associations/NGOs. We’ve highlighted how to access them, what they offer, and general cost notes. Verify current fees and hours on the official pages.
Counselling via university services (online/in-person)
Low/varies
Academic setting; ask about availability, sliding-scale fees, and privacy.
Private platforms and directories in Pakistan
Sehat Kahani (Online Doctors): While not exclusively for mental health, this platform connects patients with doctors, including psychologists, via video consultations.
Services: Online consultations, with the option to speak to a psychiatrist.
These can be accessed from Pakistan subject to connectivity. If speaking with LGBTQIA-informed peers feels safer, consider these. If you prefer not to disclose identity, you can still describe symptoms and stress.
Ask for sliding-scale fees: Many private clinicians reduce fees based on need.
Prefer telehealth: Often cheaper than in-person and safer for privacy.
Short-term, skills-focused therapy: Request CBT/DBT tools for immediate coping over fewer sessions.
Medication consults: A psychiatrist can discuss options; ask about generics and follow-up spacing to reduce cost.
If you face discrimination or “conversion” attempts
No one has the right to shame you, preach at you, or deny evidence-based care. “Conversion therapy” is harmful and not a medical treatment. If a clinician discriminates, preachifies, or refuses proper care:
Set a boundary: “I’m here for mental health treatment, not religious counseling.”
Ask for referral: “Please refer me to a different clinician.”
Document details: Note date, time, name, what was said.
Report it: Share what happened so we can help track and act.
Temperature shift: Wash your face with cool water; it can reduce acute panic.
Name five things: 5 things you see, 4 you feel, 3 you hear, 2 you smell, 1 you taste.
Delay the impulse: Commit to waiting 24 hours before taking any harmful action and connect with one resource above.
Safety plan: Write 3 warning signs, 3 coping actions, and 3 people/lines you can contact.
You are worthy of care, respect, and a life without fear. If you want, tell me what would feel most helpful right now, a script to text a doctor, a shortlist of low-cost providers, or help drafting a safety plan.
Report an Incident
If you have used any of these services and faced discrimination or been refused help because of your identity, please let us know. We document these cases to fight for better protections for the LGBTQIA+ community in Pakistan.
