Mardan: An announcement has been made to establish what is being described as Pakistan’s first dedicated housing colony for the transgender community in Mardan, aimed at addressing the longstanding housing problems faced by transgender individuals. Under the initiative, with the cooperation of Smart Group of Companies, residential plots will be offered to transgender persons at affordable rates and on easy installment plans.A special ceremony in this regard was held at a local hall in Mardan with the cooperation of Smart Group of Companies and under the auspices of Zmong Jazba Welfare Society and Saiban Development Organization.
Former FBR Commissioner and Landowner of Green Residencia, Asad Ali Jan Khan, was the chief guest.The ceremony was attended by President of the Realtors Association Mardan Nasir Khan Amazai, Chairman of Smart Group of Companies Ghani Rehman, President of Transgender Alliance Pakistan Farzana Riaz, Engineer Muhammad Shehab, President of All Artists Association Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Saeeda Khan, civil society representatives Muhammad Arif and Muhammad Parvez, CEO of Smart Zone Marketing Muhammad Ismail Shaheen, as well as a large number of members of the transgender community from across the province.Addressing the ceremony, Asad Ali Jan Khan and other speakers said that transgender people are an integral part of society and that resolving their fundamental problems is a collective responsibility of every member of society, including the government, institutions, business community and civil society.
They said that the lack of safe and permanent housing is one of the major challenges faced by the transgender community, making a separate housing project for them an urgent need of the time.The speakers appreciated Smart Group of Companies for announcing a dedicated housing colony for the transgender community and expressed hope that the initiative would provide them with safe, dignified and permanent housing facilities.On the occasion, it was announced that plots in the proposed housing colony would be offered to transgender individuals at comparatively affordable prices and on easy installment plans, enabling them to arrange their own homes according to their financial capacity.
The speakers expressed hope that the project would not only address the housing needs of the transgender community but also play an important role in enabling them to live dignified, independent and secure lives as equal members of society.
