Honors: Pakistan's First Transgender Doctor

KARACHI : Pakistan's first transgender doctor and rights activist Sarah Gill on Tuesday received her employment letter from the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical College (JPMC) and is set to begin her house job in Karachi's institute.

According to a statement released by the Chief Minister's House, Gill met Executive Director JPMC Professor Shahid Rasool to receive the letter.

It further stated that Chief Minister SIndh Murad Ali Shah congratulated Gill on receiving the letter, and said that the government was taking steps to give employment opportunities to transgenders in every sector.

The CM vowed to earn the transgenders the respect and dignity "that they deserve in every sector".

The communique further said that Pakistan People's Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto had directed the institute to offer employment to Gill.

It added that CM Murad had also earlier directed the institute to issue the letter as per the directions.

About a week ago, the leading transgender activist became the country’s first transgender doctor. Dr Gill had received her education from the JMDC Karachi and cleared the MBBS (Final) exam from JMDC.

The JMDC is an affiliate of Karachi University. Dr Gill is also working for an NGO working for the welfare of the transgender community in Pakistan. "I am proud to be the first transgender doctor in Pakistan," she said. “I will work for the welfare of my community.”

Dr Gill said that although her classmates knew her identity, she had to identify herself as a male on the college admission form because of her parents' insistence.

“Being transgender, I faced many serious problems in my education but I never lost my courage. I would ask all transgender persons to come forward in the field of education. I have worked really hard to become a doctor. With hard work and dedication everything can be achieved.”

The World Students Society thanks The Express Tribune.