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KARACHI: Nisha Rao, 28-year-old, has the honor of becoming the first transgender lawyer of Pakistan, breaking stereotypes.
Talking to M.M News, Pakistan’s first transgender lawyer narrates her journey to fulfill her dreams which were riddled with discrimination, humiliation, and insensitivity.
Rao hails from Lahore but fled to Karachi to escape the physical abuse of her family after her matriculation. She attained her Law degree from Karachi’s Sindh Muslim Law College in 2018. So far she has fought 50 cases.
Narrating the journey, Rao said, “I have always had feminine habits. I used to sit in the madrassa with the girls and recite the Qur’an. At school, children used to call me Rima Sharmili and I used to cry a lot.”
She said she realized about her identity when she reached ninth grade. Rao said God had made her different. She said she felt depressed at first but motivated herself with positive thoughts.
Nisha Rao further said that the brutal behavior of police with her and the transgender community goaded her to take up the profession of law.
“Fortunately, one of my teachers motivated me to pursue law for the voice to be heard,” Nisha said. She quoted her mentor as saying that, police will be afraid of her once she becomes a lawyer.
However, things weren’t that easy. She had to beg to pay for her education and initially, Rao used to beg on signals from 8 a.m till 12 p.m and then take her classes from 2 p.m. onwards.
Talking about her education, she said that she began her education at Karachi University and obtained a degree in International Relations. The lawyer said she made good friends in the varsity.
Nisha wishes to serve the transgender community through her non-government organization. She is mulling to set up a helpline where transgender can guide other community members.
