Police in Pakistan's Sindh province fire tear gas during a protest in Karachi on March 28, 2019. AFP
Police in Pakistan's Sindh province fire tear gas during a protest in Karachi on March 28, 2019. AFP
Police in Pakistan's Sindh province fire tear gas during a protest in Karachi on March 28, 2019. AFP
Police in Pakistan's Sindh province fire tear gas during a protest in Karachi on March 28, 2019. AFP

Pakistani police force plans quota for transgender recruits


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Police in Pakistan's Sindh province will set quotas for recruiting transgender constables, officials have said.

The move to hire what is often a persecuted minority will promote "the respect of transgender people", the force said.

The quota in the province of 48 million people, which includes the huge port city of Karachi, could be as high as 5 per cent, reports say.

But police spokesman Sohail Jokhio told The National levels were still under discussion.

“The chief police officer of the province has announced he will include transgender people in police jobs," Mr Jokhio said.

"The measure will now be discussed before the rules and recruitment committees for further proceedings.”

Pakistan last year passed a law hailed by Amnesty as “one of the most progressive pieces of legislation in the world when it comes to transgender rights”.

While the country has a reputation for social conservatism, there is also a long South Asian tradition of a “khawaja siras” community, identifying as neither male or female, which is accepted but marginalised.

The law allows people to identify their own gender in government documents and bans harassment.

But in reality, transgender people still face widespread violence and discrimination, with many being forced into the sex trade or begging.

Pakistan's 2017 census counted the transgender community for the first time, but found only a little more than 10,000 in a country of 210 million.

Campaigners estimate the total is closer to 500,000, but people were reluctant to identify themselves as transgender because of social stigma.

Transgender competitors are for the first time allowed to take part in the historic Punjab Games this week. The annual sporting event in Pakistan's most populous province has registered 80 transgender entrants.

The athletes will compete in their own category in village-style games including a tug of war and sack race, but organisers hope to widen participation in future.

“The idea is to give a message that we are trying as part of the government to mainstream them, or at least start,” said Nadeem Mahbub, sports secretary in the Punjab government.

Mr Mahbub said that while this year was only a token presence, he expected it would form a basis for transgender competitors in more sports next year.

The Punjab Games feature more than 30 modern and Olympic sports for competitors across the province.

"This will be helpful in bringing transgenders to become part of mainstream and expose their skills,” said Saima Butt, a transgender activist who helped to recruit competitors.

Sahil Sana, 30, a competitor who works at a beauty parlour, said: “This inclusion in sports will help in giving understanding that we are part of this society and can have such equal opportunities.”

Transgender rights became prominent in Pakistan in 2009 when the Supreme Court ruled transgender people could obtain national identity cards as a “third sex”.

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Company profile

Date started: Founded in May 2017 and operational since April 2018

Founders: co-founder and chief executive, Doaa Aref; Dr Rasha Rady, co-founder and chief operating officer.

Based: Cairo, Egypt

Sector: Health-tech

Size: 22 employees

Funding: Seed funding 

Investors: Flat6labs, 500 Falcons, three angel investors

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Credit Score explained

What is a credit score?

In the UAE your credit score is a number generated by the Al Etihad Credit Bureau (AECB), which represents your credit worthiness – in other words, your risk of defaulting on any debt repayments. In this country, the number is between 300 and 900. A low score indicates a higher risk of default, while a high score indicates you are a lower risk.

Why is it important?

Financial institutions will use it to decide whether or not you are a credit risk. Those with better scores may also receive preferential interest rates or terms on products such as loans, credit cards and mortgages.

How is it calculated?

The AECB collects information on your payment behaviour from banks as well as utilitiy and telecoms providers.

How can I improve my score?

By paying your bills on time and not missing any repayments, particularly your loan, credit card and mortgage payments. It is also wise to limit the number of credit card and loan applications you make and to reduce your outstanding balances.

How do I know if my score is low or high?

By checking it. Visit one of AECB’s Customer Happiness Centres with an original and valid Emirates ID, passport copy and valid email address. Liv. customers can also access the score directly from the banking app.

How much does it cost?

A credit report costs Dh100 while a report with the score included costs Dh150. Those only wanting the credit score pay Dh60. VAT is payable on top.

UAE’s revised Cricket World Cup League Two schedule

August, 2021: Host - United States; Teams - UAE, United States and Scotland

Between September and November, 2021 (dates TBC): Host - Namibia; Teams - Namibia, Oman, UAE

December, 2021: Host - UAE; Teams - UAE, Namibia, Oman

February, 2022: Hosts - Nepal; Teams - UAE, Nepal, PNG

June, 2022: Hosts - Scotland; Teams - UAE, United States, Scotland

September, 2022: Hosts - PNG; Teams - UAE, PNG, Nepal

February, 2023: Hosts - UAE; Teams - UAE, PNG, Nepal

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Dominic Rubin, Oxford

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Company profile

Company name: Suraasa

Started: 2018

Founders: Rishabh Khanna, Ankit Khanna and Sahil Makker

Based: India, UAE and the UK

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Points to remember
  • Debate the issue, don't attack the person
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  • Avoid assumptions, seek understanding, ask questions
Tearful appearance

Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday. 

Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow. 

She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.

A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.

ESSENTIALS

The flights

Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.

The hotels

Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.

The tours

A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.