KARACHI: Karachi came alive with colour, music, and powerful calls for justice on Saturday as the Khawaja Sira (transgender) community celebrated the *Hijra Festival 2025* at Burns Garden. The annual event, now in its third year, combined celebration with activism, drawing a large crowd of community members, allies, and supporters united under the banner of equality and respect.
The rally began with vibrant dancing, drumming, and chanting as participants marched through the streets before gathering at Burns Garden. The festival stage was filled with performances, speeches, and moments of solidarity, all echoing the demand for dignity and inclusion.
Community leader Kami Chaudhry highlighted the ongoing marginalisation faced by transgender people despite being full citizens of Pakistan. “We are citizens of this country, yet we are not treated as such. We face discrimination, and our basic rights, including employment opportunities, are denied,” she said.
This year’s festival also emphasized environmental awareness, linking climate action with human rights. “We stand for our identity, our dignity, and our freedom — and we also stand for the protection of our environment,” said transgender rights activist Dr Sarah Gill, urging citizens to plant trees and take part in conservation efforts.
Participants called for the implementation of job quotas, inclusion in housing, healthcare, and disaster relief programs, and legislation ensuring reserved seats for transgender representatives in the national and provincial assemblies.
The festival featured banners reading “We want freedom” and “Change the clap… the mindset will change too,” symbolizing a push to redefine how society perceives the transgender community.
Community leader Bindia Rana praised law enforcement for their cooperation and vowed to continue a peaceful struggle for equality. Labour activist Nasir Mansoor described the festival as “both joyful and urgent,” calling for stronger legal protections, while educationist Dr Riaz Sheikh stressed the importance of empowerment through education. Politician Saadia Chaudhry also pledged to advocate for transgender rights in political forums.
The *Hijra Festival 2025* stood out not only as a celebration of identity and resilience but as a collective call for change — a reminder that the fight for recognition, dignity, and justice continues.
