Transgender activist Nayyab Ali to contest Pakistan national election

As Pakistan prepares for its general elections in the summer of 2018, a transgender is all set to contest for the National Assembly from Okara.

Nayyab Ali, a member of the provincial voter committee of the Election Commission of Pakistan, who is also an activist of the All Pakistan Transgender Election Network in Punjab, has announced her intention to run as an independent candidate. Ali believes that even though life knocked her down several times, she has remained motivated and passionate about serving the nation and the people of her area. “I have taken it as a challenge and have already started my campaign on social media and soon will get in touch with my gurus and community for their assistance,” Ali, who is also an acid attack survivor, told a local daily.

Ali, born Mohammad Arsalan, is famous in Okara for her social work. “Unlike my opponents from political parties, I am not financially strong and can’t buy votes, but I am confident that the social work I have been doing will help me win the seat,” she said.

Ali expressed concern over security threats she could face during the polls from rival candidates.

Ali said when she was in class eight, she was disowned by her family for being transgender. “I left my family and started living with a guru, who was kind to me and let me continue my studies,” said the Punjab University graduate with a degree in Botany.

She is also writing a book which she plans to publish after the elections.

“If I win the seat, I will make all-out efforts to establish a medical university in Okara and resolve water, sanitation, education, health, and unemployment issues,” she said.