Gulberg 2, Lahore – a name synonymous with affluence, meticulously manicured boulevards, high-end boutiques, and a vibrant, modern lifestyle. It’s a postcode that whispers tales of ambition, success, and the city’s upward gaze. Yet, beneath the polished veneer of its glittering nightlife and exclusive enclaves, like in many bustling metropolises globally, exist parallel realities, often unacknowledged, rarely discussed openly.
This hidden world, which sometimes includes the presence of individuals engaged in sex work, is a stark reminder of the intricate web of human needs, desires, and desperations that thrive in the shadows of even the most privileged neighborhoods. It’s a phenomenon not unique to Lahore, but rather a reflection of universal socio-economic disparities, cultural pressures, and the complex interplay of demand and supply.
For many women drawn into such circumstances, the path is rarely one of free choice. It’s often paved with economic hardship, lack of educational opportunities, family debt, or the desperate need to support dependents. Promises of a better life, financial stability, or escape from stifling conditions can ensnare individuals in a cycle that is incredibly difficult to break. They navigate a dangerous landscape, vulnerable to exploitation, violence, and the stigma of a society that simultaneously condemns and often implicitly supports their existence.
The clients, on the other hand, come from diverse backgrounds, their motivations ranging from loneliness and the search for companionship to the desire for discretion or the allure of forbidden experiences. The very affluence and anonymity of areas like Gulberg 2 can inadvertently create an environment where such transactions can occur with a perceived veil of secrecy.
In Pakistan, where sex work is illegal, the entire ecosystem operates underground. This illegality only magnifies the risks for those involved, pushing it further into the dark where exploitation can fester unchecked, and health, safety, and human rights are severely compromised. It becomes a ghost industry, ever-present but officially non-existent, creating a moral and social paradox for the city.
