PAKISTANI “COUPLE” GRANTED BAIL

The two people accused of being a gay couple and of allegedly attempting to get married in Pakistani have been granted bail.

A court in Peshawar granted a transexual woman named Rani (19) and businessman Malik Iqbal (42) bail on Thursday last week after the two were arrested, along with 43 guests, at a party that police claim was intended to be a wedding ceremony.

The two individuals have insisted that the function was not a wedding and was held to celebrate Rani’s birthday. They have also denied that they are romantically involved.

They were released on a bail payment of 100,000 Rupees (around R 9,000) each. If convicted they could face up to 10 years in prison.

Rani is described as a Eunuch by the Indian media. It is believed that Pakistan has a population of up to 500,000 people who identify as eunuchs, or transsexuals, across the country. They are often mocked and shunned by others.