The Saga of Sara Gull The first ever transgender doctor in Pakistan

Generally, Pakistan is considered as conservative society where transgender community has limited access to their basic rights such as education and health, but unbroken efforts of Sara Gull has marked the history and she has become the first transgender doctor in Pakistan. Sara Gull passed her “Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery” (MBBS) exams from Jinnah Medical and Dental College Karachi. Sara Gull is also working for the wellness of transgender community; she is running a non-governmental organization (NGO) with the title of “Gender Interactive Alliance” (GIA).

While speaking to Eat News Dr. Sara Gull said, “My class-fellows and parents know the true story but even then during my college admission I was asked to mention myself as ‘Mr.’ because everyone insisted on that. I forced myself to hide my uniqueness for years and declared myself as a boy throughout my life but I was never comfortable with male identity. It was difficult for my family to accept me as transgender due to stereotype behaviors of society. Due to any expected repercussions of societal pressure, my family warned me that if I disclose my individuality they (family) will not pay my education fee. So I arranged my medical education fee on my own”.

Generally, eunuchs in Pakistan are not treated well by their families, relatives, neighbors and even parents; people make fun of them due to mixed gender personality, this poor conduct by the society towards eunuch compels them to go astray. Being transgender Sara Gull faced some terrible problems during her education, but she continued her studies by hook or by crook.

Sara Gul received her early education at the Pakistan Air Force’s Masroor Base School in Karachi although her father was not associated with armed forces. Masroor Base School is being run under the supervision of armed forces of Pakistan in Karachi city. Later on, due to disclosure of Sara Gul as transgender and mounting communal taunts and pressure her family kicked her out of the house, which was a harsh and crucial era of her life.

While sharing her saga with Eat News, Dr. Sara Gull said, “not only me but almost every transgender in Pakistan more or less is expose to such kind of horrific and awful situations. Everyone has to face difficult times in his / her life. The same happened in my case, but my dreams and motives were high. One can achieve his/ her goals with restless efforts and passion. I wanted to make my country famous and well-known around the globe. I am keen to serve the Pakistan Army as a doctor. I want to work on transgender education. When I became a doctor, there was a wave of happiness in the eunuch community and celebrations were held at many places. This has encouraged other eunuchs to become doctors too. I am saying to my community do not lose your hope, if I could attain my targets then why not you”?

At the condition of anonymity a close friend of Dr. Sara Gull told Eat News this is exceptional news not only for transgender community but also females to come forward and to adopt this profession as career. She said, “Throughout her life Dr. Sara Gull combated with problematic and challenging situations but she never gave-up and kept struggling which ultimately paid a reward to her”.

Dr. Sarah Gull is also the dynamic member of various eunuch organizations in Pakistan and is increasingly involved in various activities for the rights of the community. After success in MBBS she urged the transgender community in Pakistan to pay more attention to their education and secure high ranks in the society.

“I am feeling proud for being first ever transgender doctor physician in the country, I will keep trying to serve my community, humanity and nation. The time has come for the oppressed segments of society to establish their prestige in society. By succeeding this degree, I have added a new chapter in the history of the country. My family has also accepted me as their member after being a doctor; I can’t describe how happy I was to see the result of my exams, I was on cloud nine. After this news many people telephoned me and congratulated me. I got calls from the media for an interview so my phone kept ringing all day. Seeing all this, all the fatigue of many years went away. I will request the parents that they should not leave their Trans child due to societal pressure”, she was speaking to Eat News.

She was pushed and forced by the fellows and family to attempt MBBS as male fragment of the society but she disclosed her identity. Now she has become a celebrity, a successful story, a beacon of light and a source of inspiration for other people.

In Pakistan, most of the transgender community secures their bread and butter by singing, dancing or begging on the streets. In local language these are called “Hejera”; the weak and cowardly people are also named as “Hejra” as a taunt. Doors of public and private sector employment are usually closed on them. If a transgender is born in a house, then the family members get in trouble. Their lives are forbidden and some people believe it as a curse.

The last decade in Pakistan brought good news for transgender community as they started getting Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC); now they are getting passports also. In general elections 2018, transgender from many cities contested the election although no political party gave them party ticket, and they remained independent candidate.

The tales like Dr. Sara Gull will pave a way to brought respect, rights and equal chance of employment in the life of transgender community in Pakistan. Government is also working on legislation for this marginalized community.