Historic First: Transgender Prison Wardens Appointed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

PESHAWAR — In a landmark development, the northwestern Pakistani province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) has appointed its first-ever transgender prison wardens, marking a significant step toward inclusion in public service.
According to the Jail Superintendent, two transgender individuals — Sobia Khan and Zohaib — have been officially recruited as prison wardens and are set to assume duties at the Central Jail Peshawar from next week.
This appointment is part of the KP government’s broader effort to integrate transgender citizens into formal government employment, in line with Pakistan’s Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act 2018, which guarantees equal employment opportunities regardless of gender identity.
Human rights advocates have welcomed the move, calling it a progressive step toward ending discrimination and social marginalization of the transgender community in the region.