In a country where homosexuality is criminalized and conservative views dominate, a man’s effort to open Pakistan’s first gay club in Abbottabad has resulted in his confinement to a mental health institution.
The incident began last month when the man submitted a formal request to the deputy commissioner, proposing a venue for the LGBTQ community.
His vision was for a safe space fostering community interaction, explicitly excluding any sexual activities.
Local authorities acknowledged the receipt of the proposal, stating that it would undergo standard review procedures.
However, the application ignited a firestorm after its details were leaked online, provoking widespread outrage among residents and local politicians.
Facing escalating threats and public backlash, the man advocating for the gay club was subsequently admitted to the Sarhad Hospital for psychiatric diseases in Peshawar.
Concerned family and friends of the man, who had recently returned from the UK, report being barred from visiting him, raising alarms about his well-being.
In response to the proposal, religious groups and local community leaders have issued stern warnings, promising severe repercussions if the club receives approval.
