In Swabi, Pakistan, police recently cracked down on a transgender dance event. Over 200 arrests were made — including several transgender people. Following this, an 11-member local jirga accused the transgender community of spreading obscenity and issued orders for their expulsion from the district.

Many transgender people in Pakistan are not accepted for mainstream jobs. Dancing at functions, celebrations, or community gatherings provides a source of income.

More than 150 transgender individuals have been killed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa over the past decade, rights groups say. Community members warn that local councils threaten their safety nationwide and call for urgent legal protection.