The Federal Shariat Court on Thursday expressed disappointment at the response submitted by the Federal Ministry of Human Rights regarding the transgenders act, The Express Tribune reported, and asked whether the ministry was supporting same-sex marriage.

A three-member bench of the Shariah court headed by Chief Justice Muhamad Noor Meskanzai, while hearing the case regarding the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act 2018, sought clarity over the response submitted by the ministry and questioned whether the human rights ministry was endorsing homosexuality.

Justice Dr. Syed Muhammad Anwar remarked that the transgender act was designed to protect the rights of transgenders but it seemed that the government wanted to end the protection granted to them.

The ministry quoted Yogakarta in its reply to which the judge remarked that Yogakarta was a law seeking to end legislations against same-sex marriages across the world.

According to the report, the ministry had also mentioned LGBT in its response to which Justice Anwar asked whether the ministry was supporting LGBT rights in Pakistan.

Justice Anwar while adjourning the case till Friday directed the director general that if he failed to clarify the response submitted by the ministry then the court will summon HR minister in the case.

"The court cannot copy paste the response from the internet," Justice Anwar remarked.

Last year, transgender lecturer Ayesha Mughal, Bubbly Malik and Orya Maqbool Jan had filed a petition against the transgender act.

During the last hearing against the said bill, Jan stated that the bill was promoting same-sex marriage.

The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2018 was passed by the National Assembly in 2018 and is aimed at granting the group their rights.