Transgender persons entitled to accessible public services under KP law, says Tashfin Israr

PESHAWAR: District Monitoring Officer of the Right to Public Services (RTS) Commission Peshawar, Tashfin Israr, has emphasised that transgender persons are legally entitled to access public services with dignity and without discrimination, urging greater awareness of the complaint and appeal mechanisms available under Khyber Pakhtunkhwa law.
He was addressing a one-day workshop organised by Blue Veins at a local hotel in Peshawar, where he conducted an awareness session for members of the transgender community on their rights and access to government services.
During the session, Tashfin Israr explained the provisions of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Right to Public Services Act, 2014, which provides eligible citizens with the right to receive notified public services within prescribed timelines.
He informed participants that the law also establishes complaint and appeal procedures for individuals who experience delays, denial or failure in the delivery of notified services.
Highlighting the challenges faced by transgender persons, he said the community has historically encountered social and institutional barriers that can make accessing essential government services difficult.
He stressed that public services are a legal entitlement rather than a favour and that eligible citizens should receive them without discrimination or unnecessary obstacles.
Referring to Section 3(3) of the RTS (Amendment) Act, 2026, Tashfin Israr said the provision introduces reasonable accommodation for senior citizens, women, transgender persons and persons with disabilities.
He explained that the responsibility for providing reasonable accommodation extends to the government, the RTS Commission, appellate authorities, departments and designated officers.
According to him, the provision strengthens the legal framework for inclusive public service delivery by recognising that certain groups may require additional facilitation when dealing with public institutions.
He also briefed participants on how to approach the relevant authorities when notified services are not delivered within the prescribed period or are denied.
Encouraging members of the transgender community to familiarise themselves with their legal protections, he said awareness of complaint and appeal procedures could help citizens seek redress when they encounter difficulties obtaining public services.
Tashfin Israr reaffirmed the RTS Commission’s commitment to continuing public awareness and outreach activities, particularly among marginalised and underrepresented communities.
He said such initiatives were intended to ensure that citizens understand which public services they are entitled to receive, the timelines applicable to those services and the remedies available when service delivery falls short of legal requirements.
He maintained that timely, transparent and inclusive public service delivery is essential for responsive governance and equal access to government institutions, adding that dignity and accessibility must remain central to the delivery of public services across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.