the march as a threat to cultural and religious values rather than recognizing it as a legitimate human rights movement. While social media allows supporters to share their perspectives, it also exposes them to intense trolling and threats, overshadowing their voices.162 Subsequently, in 2021, there was a surge in right-wing discourse against transgender rights in Pakistan, led by Senator Mushtaq Ahmed of the Jamaat-e-Islami party. His campaign targeted the Transgender Rights Act 2018 mentioned above, which at the time allowed citizens to be recognized according to their self-perceived gender identity. Despite being seen as an attempt to revive his political career, Ahmed quickly gained support from prominent figures like fashion designer Maria B, philanthropist Aliya Sarim Burney, and YouTube podcaster Raja Zia ul Haq, leading to increased online threats against visibly trans activists.163 This backlash was also orchestrated by social media-savvy parties like the Jamaat-e-Islami and ultra-right Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP).164 Hashtags against the Transgender Act 2018, initially promoted by Jamaat-e-Islami’s social media teams, were later amplified by activists from TLP and PTI, with planning occurring on platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram and executed on X (formerly Twitter), often featuring disinformation. In August 2021, the transphobic backlash targeted the local music duo ‘Mystical Shayari’ after a queer-coded photoshoot went viral on Twitter, leading to outrage and death threats. Influential rightwing journalist Ansar Abbasi even called for their arrest for “spreading obscenity.” YouTube’s de-platforming of podcaster Raja Zia ul Haq, who posted numerous anti-transgender videos, was a positive step, although his organization’s channel still remains active. This anti-trans campaign, led by figures like Haq and Maria B, culminated in the Federal Shariat Court ruling mentioned above stating that key sections of the Transgender Act 2018 do not conform with their interpretation of Islamic principles.165 162 Media Diversity Institute. Aurat March: Hateful coverage marks Pakistan’s International Women’s Day march. https://www.media-diversity.org/aurat-march-hateful-coverage-marks-pakistans-international-womens-day-march/ 163 No-Niin. (2023). Digital hate and the othering of Pakistan’s transgender community. https://no-niin.com/issue-20/ digital-hate-and-the-othering-of-pakistans-transgender-community/index.html 164 In April 2021, the federal government formally banned the Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) after its supporters staged violent protests following the arrest of their leader, Saad Rizvi, who had called for the expulsion of the French ambassador. The ban was enacted under Section 11B(1) of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997, officially listing TLP as a proscribed organization. In November 2021, the Ministry of Interior lifted the ban on TLP, citing the “larger national interest” and assurances from the party that it would refrain from future violent activities. Dawn, (2021). Government bans TLP under anti-terrorism law. Dawn, 15 April. https://www.dawn.com/news/1618391; Al Jazeera (2021). Pakistan lifts ban on far-right TLP behind anti-France protests. Al Jazeera, 8 November. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/11/8/pakistan-lifts-tlpban-france-blasphemy 165 No-Niin. (2023). Digital hate and the othering of Pakistan’s transgender community. https://no-niin.com/issue-20/ digital-hate-and-the-othering-of-pakistans-transgender-community/index.html 48