Hundreds of transgender Pakistanis and supporters protested against surging inflation in the southern city of Karachi on Wednesday, as a spike in prices amid the Middle East war disproportionately hits the vulnerable community. Though Pakistan's transgender community has received legal protections in recent years, many face social and family stigma, often leading to economic deprivation that forces some to earn an income from begging. The country, a key mediator between the United States and Iran, has seen soaring prices that threatened an already fragile economy during months of fighting and disruptions to global energy shipments. Advertisement AdvertisementAdvertisement Advertisement"The khwaja sira community should be respected and honoured," said Aradhiya Khan, from the Gender Interactive Alliance advocacy group that organised the protest. Shahzadi Rai, a transgender protester and advocate, said many from the khwaja sira community had struggled to find work, which worsened the impact of rising prices.