Shooting kills 3 transgender women outside Karachi, Pakistan

On the outskirts of Karachi, Pakistan, three transgender persons were found dead on a roadside early Sunday morning. They had each been shot, two in the chest and one in the head; the victims were killed at close range. Authorities recovered spent 9mm shells at the scene, as well as personal items like a purse and tissue papers. The incident took place near the Super Highway in the Memon Goth area, a relatively secluded location with no CCTV coverage at the exact spot. Investigators are checking nearby road‑cameras for leads. 

The victims have been identified by police as Muhammad Jeel alias Sameera and Alex Riyasat alias Aini; a third victim is known locally by the alias Asma. Fingerprints and other evidence are being used to confirm identities. 

Responding swiftly, police and rescue teams, including Rangers personnel, cordoned off the area and began collecting forensic evidence. The bodies were moved to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre for post‑mortem examinations. SSP (Senior Superintendent of Police) Malir Abdul Khaliq Pirzada is leading the investigation. 

Local civil society, especially transgender rights groups, have strongly condemned the killings. The Gender Interactive Alliance and activists such as Bindiya Rana say this attack is not isolated but part of a broader pattern of violence intended to intimidate and silence transgender people in Pakistan. They are demanding immediate arrests, more protective measures for transgender persons, and sustained public support. 

Political leaders in Sindh province have also responded: Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah called for the perpetrators to be arrested “at all costs” and ordered police to file a detailed investigative report. He spoke out about the vulnerability of transgender citizens and emphasized that such violence cannot be tolerated. 

While there is legal recognition in Pakistan for transgender individuals—including a “third gender” status and a 2018 law granting certain rights—activists say that social stigma, discrimination, and recurring acts of violence remain serious, unresolved issues.

Source: abc NEWS