DLP Report
PESHAWAR
Transgender leader and head of the Manzil Foundation, Arzoo Khan, on Monday alleged that stipends promised to transgender participants of a beautician training programme conducted under a Skill Development Project had not been paid even after five months of completion.
Addressing a press conference at the Peshawar Press Club, Arzoo said the courses were organised under the University of Engineering and Technology with the support of the Rural Economic Transformation Project and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
Arzoo Khan said the participants were assured that each transgender trainee would receive Rs73,000 after completing a four-certificate course, but the amount had yet to be released.
Manzil foundation facilitated the participation of deserving candidates by arranging transport at its own expense for the 10-day training programme. However, Arzo alleged that the responsible officials, including individuals identified as Madam Saba, Dr Shahzad and Dr Zubair, failed to cooperate and misappropriated the funds meant for the trainees.
Khan said transgender participants were repeatedly visiting offices concerned to claim their dues but had not received their rights for the past five months.
Referring to Punjab, the transgender said several initiatives had been launched there for the transgender community, enabling them to earn livelihoods through skill-based programmes, while in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa they continued to face discrimination and humiliation.
