Coalition for Inclusive Pakistan (CIP) Condemns Attack on Human Rights Defender, Bindya Rana

Karachi, January 21, 2026: The Coalition for Inclusive Pakistan (CIP) strongly condemns the attack on Ms. Bindya Rana, a prominent human rights activist, calling it a blatant attempt to silence her from raising her voice for the rights of the transgender persons in the country.

Unidentified men attacked her residence in Karachi in the early hours of January 19, 2026, and fired shots. She barely survived the attack, which appeared to be more of a warning to desist her from continuing her protest against the government’s inability to provide protection and safety to the transgender persons in Karachi. Her protests followed particularly the killing of three transgender persons in the Sindh metropolis in September 2025 and subsequent failure of the police to apprehend the killers.

CIP calls such acts of violence as deeply concerning and reflective of the growing risks faced by human rights defenders in Pakistan. The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2018, guarantees every transgender person the right to life, dignity, and security. These repeated incidents, however, reveal serious gaps in the government’s enforcement of these legal protections. Moreover, the provincial legislatures should also enact similar legislation for the protection of transgender persons in the provinces.

CIP says targeting individuals for their peaceful protest undermines constitutional guarantees, democratic values, and the rule of law. Violence, intimidation, or threats against civil society actors are unacceptable and must not be tolerated.

CIP calls upon the relevant law enforcement authorities to take immediate notice of the incident and ensure a timely, transparent, and impartial investigation to apprehend the responsible persons for justice to be served. Furthermore, CIP emphasizes that the federal and provincial human rights commissions must hold relevant authorities accountable for their inability to take adequate measures to protect all citizens equally under the Constitution.

“The transgender community are equal citizens of Pakistan. Their safety and protection are not optional – they are a constitutional and moral imperative,” CIP affirmed.