On the night of Friday, June 13, 2025, a devastating and heart-wrenching crime unfolded in the limits of the Mirpur police station in Pakistan, forever altering the life of the transgender community and those who loved Zaibi, a cherished member of it. The victim, Zaibi, a transgender person, was allegedly shot and killed by a man named Malik Tauqeer, leaving her companion, Beenish, injured amid a wedding celebration—a moment that should have been filled with joy, but instead became a scene of grief and unimaginable loss.
Zaibi, who had been living in Abbottabad for years, hailed from Bhera, Sargodha, while her companion Beenish was from Lahore. The tragic incident not only robbed a life but also left a community in shock and mourning. The senseless violence at a wedding ceremony not only took a life but sent ripples of fear and sorrow through an already marginalized and vulnerable community. Despite the heartache, the police swiftly acted, arresting the accused within hours, and registering a case under Sections 302 and 324 of the Pakistan Penal Code.
The circumstances surrounding the murder are painfully revealing—Zaibi and Malik Tauqeer had been friends for some time, but a disagreement over a personal matter turned fatal. The suspect, apparently distressed by the presence of some personal photographs on Zaibi’s mobile phone, allegedly acted on his frustrations, ending her life in a cruel and senseless act of violence. The police have begun investigating the situation further, yet for the transgender community, this tragedy is another painful reminder of the deep-rooted struggles they face—struggles that are often met with violence, discrimination, and societal rejection.
The transgender community, already subjected to so many injustices, was quick to take action in the aftermath of this horrific event. A protest broke out outside the Mirpur police station, with the community completely blocking the road for all traffic, expressing their sorrow and demanding justice. Their voices echoed through the streets, pleading for a society that values all lives—transgender lives included.
This is not just the loss of one individual—it’s the loss of a soul that contributed to a community that is too often silenced, marginalized, and denied its fundamental rights. The tragic murder of Zaibi is a painful reminder that the transgender community in Pakistan continues to suffer not only from physical violence but also from emotional trauma—unjustly erased from public narratives and denied the humanity they so clearly possess.
Zaibi’s family, after enduring the immense pain of losing their loved one, now faces the daunting task of navigating the legal process and dealing with the emotional weight of their loss. As the body of Zaibi was returned to her family after the completion of medico-legal formalities, the pain of this senseless murder remains etched in their hearts and the hearts of countless others who knew her.
The demand for justice from the transgender community is not just a plea for one individual’s case to be heard—it’s a call for systemic change. They are asking for accountability, for the protection of their rights, and for the assurance that no one, regardless of their gender identity, will be subjected to violence simply for being who they are. This tragic event underscores the necessity for society to take a hard look at the treatment of transgender individuals and the urgent need for stronger measures to protect their rights and ensure their safety.
As of now, the police are continuing their investigation, but the battle for justice extends far beyond this one case. This is a fight for dignity, respect, and safety for a community that has too often been forgotten. We must all stand in solidarity with the transgender community in Pakistan and everywhere, ensuring that those responsible for such heinous acts are held accountable.
Zaibi’s life should never have been taken. Her memory should serve as a powerful reminder of the need for a world where violence against transgender individuals is not tolerated, and where every person, regardless of gender, is allowed to live in peace and dignity. The community’s fight for justice must not go unheard, and their sorrow must not go unrecognized.
Let this tragic loss fuel a collective demand for justice—so that Zaibi did not die in vain. May the voices of those who loved her and the voices of the transgender community continue to resonate loudly, demanding not only justice for Zaibi but also a world where transgender lives are valued, celebrated, and protected.