LAHORE: The Punjab Police and Akhhuat Foundation – a social welfare organization – on Tuesday entered a partnership for the support and protection of the transgender community and both the institutions will cooperate with each other in steps taken for welfare of the transgender community.
Similarly under the MoU, joint measures will also be taken to resolve problems of homeless, destitute and mentally and physically challenged children and special persons.
According to the details, a delegation comprising senior officials of Akhhuat Foundation led its Chairman Dr Amjad Saqib visited Central Police Office and signed the MoU during a meeting with Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr Usman Anwar.
Under the MoU, Akhhuat will provide full support for functioning of the “Protection Centers” activated by Punjab Police to help the transgender community in all regions and District Police offices across Punjab. The Akhhuat will launch special training courses for police staff posted in Protection Centres with respect to provision of facilities to transgender community. The Akhhuat’s Transgender Support Program teams will provide data and other details related to transgender issues to the Punjab Police so that steps can be taken to alleviate the social problems and difficulties faced by the transgender community.
Both the Akhhuat and Punjab Police, under the MoU, will take joint measures to provide medico-legal cases and medical facilities to the transgender community, while the teams of Punjab Police will hold Khuli Katchehri (open courts) on monthly basis and the Akhhuat will organize other programs for the transgender community at Fountain House where trans persons can get immediate relief by submitting applications to senior police officers about problems faced by the community. During the meeting, it was also decided to provide interest-free loans up to Rs100,000 to police employees. Police personnel up to grade 7 will be able to avail loans from the Akhhuat to purchase essential items like bikes and laptops. The Akhhuat Foundation also announced to conduct 6-month computer courses for police martyr’s children in their educational institutions.
The IG Police while expressing gratitude to Dr Amjad Saqib for providing support for the “Protection Centers”, said that the joint efforts of both the organizations will provide protection to transgenders in true sense. He said that transgender people will be given priority in jobs on a Special Quota in the police department and measures should be taken in collaboration with other organizations including TEVTA to provide dignified employment to members of transgender community.
Dr Amjad Saqib while appreciating the steps taken by the Punjab Police to help and protect the transgender, destitute, homeless and mentally challenged children, said that the efforts of the Punjab Police to help and protect the weaker sections of the society and disabled people are commendable.
On the occasion, DIG Establishment Dr Inam Waheed, DIG Ahsan Younis, AIG Admin and Security Ammara Athar and other officers were also present. Later, the IG Police presented a commemorative souvenir of Punjab Police to Dr Amjad Saqib.
Meanwhile, IG Police Dr Usman Anwar visited Fountain House Lahore where he met special persons and children suffering from mental and physical disabilities, depression and mental diseases. He reviewed the ongoing programs and initiatives for rehabilitation of special persons in Fountain House. The IGP while talking to the transgenders residing in Fountain House, enquired about their problems and assured them of immediate support and cooperation from the police.
