Tag: Pakistani transgender

  • Transgender activist Zaakraa’s story takes sinister turn, wipes all previous posts

    Transgender activist Zaakraa’s story takes sinister turn, wipes all previous posts

    TRIGGER WARNING: discussion of abuse, torture, homophobia

    Zaakraa has wiped out all of her social media posts, and posted a video saying she didn’t mean what she said previously, and had said it because she had anxiety.

    “I had uploaded my last video on the recommendation of someone, and at that point I was panicking and severely depressed. I am sorry for everything, and for insulting anyone.”

    Meanwhile, transgender activists Hina Baloch and Mehrub Moiz Awan have alleged that Zaakraa has been ‘kidnapped’ by the facility after she made public allegations of suffering abuse, torture and beatings while she stayed there.

    Mehrub Moiz revealed she was on the phone with Zaakraa for eight seconds when she heard screaming and a voice saying: “Dr Imran is here.”

    Hina Baloch requested friends from Lahore to spread the word so she may be found.

    Soon after Zaakraa took to Instagram, deleting her previous videos.

    A transgender activist who goes by the name Zaakraa has appeared back online after disappearing from social media for six months.

    She has posted videos on her Twitter and Instagram page, stating that her parents forced her to take conversion therapy at the Focus Life Rehabilitation Centre, detailing the torture and abuse she was subjected to at the hands of the doctors.

    In the video, Zaakraa says that for three months, she was stripped naked, beaten, and slapped by staff when she refused to eat because of her eating disorder. She also revealed that Dr Samina, who was present at the clinic, would question why Zaakraa was so invested in Aurat March, and other issues related to women. Another psychiatrist, Dr Imran, was informed by Zaakraa’s sister about his bisexuality. He berated the activist for his support for Aurat March and Moorat March.

    https://twitter.com/BubblesKhanum2/status/1688117427241095168?s=20

    The Current reached out to Zaakraa for a statement. She responded as follows:

    “I want Focus Life Rehab to be held accountable.”

    Zaakraa also shared pictures on her social media account of the doctors who she says were responsible for the torture and abuse during the time she was there.

    https://twitter.com/zaakraaaa/status/1688171062243315712?s=20

    We have reached out to Focus Life for a statement, and will update the article with their response.

    Prominent transgender activists like Mehrub Moiz Awan have expressed outrage on social media and called for the organisation to be shut down.

  • Bollywood set to make biopic on legendary Pakistani host, Begum Nawazish Ali

    Indian streaming platform EORTV has announced that they are in the process of making a biopic based on the life of the queer icon and Pakistani television host Ali Saleem, who was famous for his cross-dressing alter ego Begum Nawazish Ali. His popular talk show ‘Late Nights With Begum Nawazish Ali’ featured interviews with actors, politicians and even religious figures. In 2010, Saleem, along with actress Veena Malik, were the first Pakistanis to take part in the famous reality show ‘Big Boss’.

    Saleem had described himself as gay, bisexual and even transgender.

    According Deepak Panday, the CEO of EORTV, the channel was planning to approach actor Mallika Sherawat for the role. He also elaborated on the reason they had chosen to film this story:

    “This is a strong story, a story of boldness and courage. The character is multifaceted and needed someone as courageous and undaunted as the Begum thyself. I am planning to approach Mallika Sherawat for this role as she would be apt for a fearless performance like this. It is important to create stories like these that can encourage more and more people to be open about their sexuality and sexual preferences. This is going to be a story of an unapologetically fearless man who’s leading a life of his own choice in spite of living in a politically warm environment”.

    He further went on to say:

     “Begum Nawazish Ali’s background and childhood is interesting but the journey he makes in due course of his life is even more interesting. He has interviewed the who’s who from business, politics, entertainment with gusto. He has courted satire and controversy but managed to make a place in the hearts of the common man. His life will make for very compelling content on screen”.