Trans man wanted by police for ‘illegal’ same-sex wedding. He married a cis woman
The couple were accused of entering into a same-sex marriage, which is a crime in Pakistan (Envato Elements)
The Lahore High Court of Pakistan has issued an arrest warrant for a trans man accused of entering into an illegal “same-sex” marriage with a cis woman.
In Pakistan marriage is permitted between trans people, but homosexuality is still strictly prohibited and punishable by up to ten years in prison.
The case first made headlines in July when the husband, Ali Akash, freely admitted in court that he was transgender and had undergone gender-affirming surgery.
Akash’s wife confirmed that she was satisfied and happy with her marriage, that her husband was fulfilling all her needs responsibly and that she wanted to live with him.
Akash stated that his wife’s family was completely aware of the matter and the marriage was consensual, adding that he had also fielded marriage offers from his wife’s paternal aunt, who wanted to make him her son-in-law.
However the judge refused to hear the case, insisting that Akash must first submit to a “gender test” at a local hospital.
According to the International News, Akash submitted a request for the medical examination to be stopped, which was denied. After this he went underground and stopped appearing in court, claiming that he had divorced his wife in a bid for the case to be dropped.
Justice Chaudhry Abdul Aziz has now issued non-bailable arrest warrant for Akash and directed police to arrest the accused at any cost. The court ordered authorities to present both husband and wife at the next hearing, warning that “strict action” will be taken against higher police officials if they should fail.
“We are living in an Islamic state rather in America,” the judge angrily told Akash’s lawyer. “Some people want to make it America where boys are marrying with boys and girls are marrying with girls.
“Parents should show their responsibility but their silence [is] damaging the social sector of this country.”
