Punjab Trains 1,000+ Transgender Individuals Under PSDF Pehchaan Program

The Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF) under the Chief Minister’s Skilled Punjab Initiative has achieved a historic milestone through its “Pehchaan Program” by training 1,054 transgender individuals across modern and traditional fields. Out of these, more than 980 participants have already secured employment in private and public organizations while many others have launched their own small businesses.

Launched in November 2024, the program has formally integrated members of the transgender community into the workforce for the first time, a step being hailed as a major breakthrough in Pakistan’s social and economic development

Main Sectors of Training

Under the PSDF Pehchaan Program transgenders were trained in areas that have market demand not only locally but also globally:

• Beauty and Grooming: Modern Training in Lahore’s Leading Salons and Academies
• Culinary Arts: Professional chef training for the restaurant industry
• Performing Arts: Regular training in theatre, music and cultural performance
• Information Technology: Computer applications, coding and IT support
• Digital Freelancing: Job opportunities on online platforms.
• Handicrafts: Adapting traditional crafts to the demands of the modern market

Comprehensive Support and Facilities

Under the program, not only training but also facilities were provided to the participants which helped them to move forward in practical life:

• Monthly stipends so that financial difficulties do not become a barrier between training
• Travel allowances so that people coming from far-off cities can also participate
• Professional toolkits (beauty kits, culinary kits, IT tools) so that practical work can be started immediately
• Assistance with NADRA and PSER registration so that identity issues are eliminated and formal jobs are possible

Program Reach Across Cities

Success Stories

• Sanam from Lahore once unemployed is now working as a senior makeup artist at a leading beauty salon.
• Rehan from Multan launched his freelancing career after IT training and earned $1,000 within three months.
• Faisalabad’s Zeenat after receiving training in culinary arts set up her own home-based bakery business that is taking dozens of orders every day.

These achievements are proof that if trained and facilitated, the transgender community can also play a significant role in the country’s economy.

Government Vision and Policy

According to the Punjab government, the Pehchaan Program is not just a skill development project but an inclusive social policy which is a means to give dignity and empowerment to the marginalized sections of the society. It is planned to expand the program to more cities and new areas in the future. So that more transgenders can become an active part of the national economy.

Statement by PSDF CEO Ahmed Khan

PSDF CEO Ahmed Khan said:

“For decades, transgender individuals were deprived of basic opportunities. Through the Pehchaan Program, we have not only given them training but also opened doors to dignity, employment, and inclusion. This marks the beginning of a positive economic revolution in Punjab.”

The Punjab Skills Development Fund’s Pehchaan Program has emerged as a successful model that proved that the transgender community can also play a strong role in economic development and social harmony if provided with convenience and opportunities. It’s not just changing people’s lives. It is also an important step towards creating a more inclusive and equitable society in Pakistan.