Islamic Pakistan & World’s Oldest Profession
Jul 20th, 2009 | no responses
“Secular” India and “Islamic” Pakistan try to suppress prostitution but ignore the plight of thousands of people involved in this highly risky but widely practised profession. Some NGOs have done commendable work, such as a recent drive in Karachi to promote health awareness among sex workers.
Lahore, Karachi, Calcutta, Bombay and Lucknow were among the traditional urban centers in undivided India that had special streets earmarked for music, dance and “adult activities”. That is until a few decades ago when traditional entertainment by “tawaifs”/courtesans degenerated into routine prostitution.
(For an interesting historical account of this subject and vintage photos – such as circa 1900 photo above – please click here…)
The BBC reports: “Pakistan’s first workshop on health awareness among sex workers has contributed to a new spirit of openness in the profession. The 3-day event was recently held in Karachi by Gender & Reproductive Health Forum (GRHF) – a local social welfare organization – in collaboration with the United Nations Fund for Population (UNFPA).
“The last two decades, given the increasing Islamisation of Pakistani society, have further reinforced stereotypes about such women. But the profession has only grown.
“Karachi alone has at least 100,000 female sex workers, according to data gathered by local welfare organizations. Lahore has 75,000 sex workers while the military garrison town of Rawalpindi has at least 25,000.
Last year, a news report pointed out that prostitution in Pakistan, once relegated to dark alleys and small red-light districts, is fast seeping into many neighbourhoods of the Muslim state’s urban centers.
An investigative report by the Asia Times, titled Sex in Depth: In Pakistan, stated: “The Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi sex scenes are totally changing and it is becoming easier and easier to get a girl for sex.
“Most hotels provide you with girls on request. Even otherwise, it is easy to find girls prowling the streets after 6 pm, and foreigners could find young women hanging out near Western franchises like McDonalds and KFC.
“As in many societies, access to technology, Internet and mobile phones has facilitated the sex trade in Pakistan. The women are available for in-house services for as little as Rs 400 (US$6) to take-away prices ranging Rs 1,000 to 2,000.
“These prices are mostly for locals, foreigners can indulge in higher prices. Foreigners in Pakistan have no trouble finding companionship and may receive rates similar to locals in downtrodden districts.
“More upscale areas like Lahore’s Diamond Market cater to well-heeled locals and foreigners. At these places prettier, younger girls push their services for Rs 5,000 to 10,000 for an all-night visit, and the most exceptional can command Rs 20,000 to 40,000 for short time.”
Early this year, the Global Post carried a moving pictorial feature about Pakistan’s “infamous” artist Iqbal Hussain, who grew up in the Heera Mandi, Lahore’s red light district.
“Much of Hussain’s work sits in a permanent exhibit at Lahore Art Gallery. Other pieces auctioned by Sotheby’s have reportedly fetched prices of $10,000 or more.” More here…
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