Two trans women went to a wedding. Armed men stormed the building, killing one and injuring the other
Trans activist Gul Panra appealed for protection before she was gunned down at a wedding (Twitter)
Pakistanis are demanding justice for a transgender activist who was killed when some unidentified people opened fire on her and another trans person at a wedding.
Gul Panra was murdered at the wedding in Pakistan’s northwestern city of Peshawar, police announced on Wednesday (September 9). According to Trans Action Pakistan she was shot six times at point-blank range, and succumbed to her wounds on the way to hospital.
The other victim, identified as Chahat, was seriously injured in the shooting and is now in critical condition in Peshawar’s Khyber Teaching Hospital.
Superintendent of police of Cantt Hassan Jahangir Wattoo said that a motive is not clear and an investigation is now underway. So far no arrests have been made, but Chahat was able to give police information which may be able to identify those involved.
The report states that she and Gul Panra had been hired to perform at the wedding, a common tradition in Pakistan. They were preparing to leave when the people opened fire.
The shocking murder sparked anger on social media, and shortly after the news surfaced the hashtag #JusticeforGulPanra was trending in Pakistan.
Many drew comparisons with other acts of violence against women in Pakistan, including the recent arrest of trans activist Julie Khan under allegedly fabricated charges.
We want #JusticeforGulPanra ? pic.twitter.com/IgyV9PsElX
— Aliza (@alizazahra_) September 9, 2020
A Trans activist Gul Panra shot dead in Peshawar.
She got shot 6 times and was rushed to the hospital where she lost her life.
Where basic rights and security is absent for not only girls but boys too ,trans community can only dream for a brighter safe future.#JusticeforGulPanra
— Saad The Sad. (@saadghaffar2000) September 8, 2020
Should our society be left with no fear or sense of punishment for such inhumane acts? #JusticeforGulPanra @pid_gov @ImranKhanPTI pic.twitter.com/OgZiNcYKWg
— Ahmed Iftikhar Khan (@ahmediftikharrr) September 9, 2020
Murder, rape, kidnapping or many others crimes at its peak in ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF PAKISTAN.
When Zia ul Haq take action against them, Pakistan were not report any rape case in next 15 years.#copied#JusticeforGulPanra pic.twitter.com/Hkw2Jw1WWG
— Error Not Found?? (@AtherIslam09) September 9, 2020
Trans Action Pakistan shared a video on Facebook of Chahat and Gul Panra appealing for protection shortly before their attack.
“There is no safety for us. COVID-19 made us more vulnerable but we can’t blame [only] it. We were never safe even before COVID. We wonder if the police department even considers us human,” reads the tragic caption.
