Zaibi dies in fatal Abbottabad shooting

Zaibi dies in fatal Abbottabad shooting

Fatal Abbottabad shooting death of Zaibi – Obituary

Zaibi, a transgender woman originally from Sargodha, was fatally shot during a wedding celebration in Abbottabad, becoming the seventh transgender person to be murdered in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 2025.

The incident occurred on College Road in Sir Syed Colony when Malik Tauqeer allegedly opened fire on transgender performers. Zaibi was pronounced dead at the scene, and her fellow performer, Benish from Lahore, was critically injured.

Authorities reported that the suspected shooter was arrested soon after by Mirpur police. Preliminary findings suggest the shooting stemmed from a dispute involving images on a mobile phone and a prior personal relationship between the suspect and the victim.

A case was initially filed based on Benish’s statement. However, members of the transgender community demanded the case be registered by Zaibi’s family. Protests followed, with demonstrators staging a sit-in at the Mirpur Police Station and later blocking the Silk Route highway until officials promised appropriate legal action and confirmed the arrest of the suspect.

Advocates for transgender rights have voiced growing concern as crimes against transgender individuals in the region have surpassed 2,800 since 2015, with at least 154 killed. This latest tragedy emphasizes the continued danger and discrimination faced by the community.