“We say that slavery has vanished from European civilization, but this is not true.

Slavery still
exists, but now it applies only to women and its name is prostitution.” VICTOR HUGO, Les
Misérables

“I was a banker, earning Rs. 15,000 in a bank for a 9-9 job. My father died. I don’t have any
brother, have three sisters and have to pay house rent. In this profession, I earn Rs. 60,000 to
70,000 and able to meet my expenses. “

Upon getting story of some females, I don’t feel like writing their names.  As defined by
sociologists, it is the oldest profession on earth. Female Prostitutes in Pakistan can be divided
into three major categories. Women who are born into this profession, those who want to make
extra money and women who have been pushed badly into this profession.  Apart from those
who are born into this profession, I am focusing more on those who are either compelled or
forced to join this profession under different circumstances.  According to data, Karachi has
about 100,000 sex workers, Lahore 75,000 and Islamabad about 25,000 sex workers. The
estimated number of child sex workers is about 15.000 to 20,000 in Lahore. Approximately 80
per cent of victims are women and girls, with most engaged in the sex trade. These are estimated
figures. The United Nations reports that 2.5 million people are trafficked each year.

A wide variety of girls can be easily found in the sex market of Karachi. They are not only local
girls but girls from other parts of the country. It’s strange to note that even girls from other
countries like Afghanistan, Bosnia, Burma and Bangladesh are also trafficked. Almost two
hundred thousand Bengali women have been trafficked into Karachi during last two decades. It’s
not only teen aged young girls but children under 16 years of age are also victims of it. Forget
about the semantics of the language, whether it’s a ‘sex worker”,  “prostitute”, call girl”, tantric
engineer”, “hooker”, “hustler”, “streetwalker”, “Khangi”, “Kasbi”, ”devdasi, “Hure”,
“whore” or "modern geisha", nothing is held respectable, as the meanings of the word
“prostitute” means “to expose”. (Derived from a composition of two Latin words: (preposition)
pro and (verb) statuere literally meaning: "to expose").

Now there are three classes of such workers who are lured into this profession: One is that class
which is elite, rich, well-educated, and well-groomed. She knows Table manners, speaks good
English and holds a tag like banker or event manager. Any professional tag it could be. This is
what they tell their families while going out that they have to organize a show late at night. The
above quotes in the start of the article are from such a woman, who publicly tells people that she
is a banker. These are examples of typical open secrets. This class could be highly influential as
well. A list of VIPs is often attached with them. Poverty is not a factor for this class. Capitalism,
consumerism, glamour, lust and greed are the major factors for prostitution in this class.

The second category is that becomes a part of this profession by poverty. Having no father or
male earner in the family, this class is less educated, less groomed, and less influential. I have
held a myth for years that poverty is the basic factor for pushing women into prostitution. It is,
but not a major factor. The question is they are low-paid workers. If some good jobs are offered
to them, would they still opt for this abusive and disrespectful profession? The current
unemployment rate is something like 15.20%, which would definitely increase unemployment,
but definitely control inflation. Can we expect during the upcoming times of joblessness that
more females would enter into this profession? Or can we expect more suicides from young
people? Girls from impoverished families do join this profession. Kaneez Fatima was such an
example of this class. Poverty and oppression are the major factors for prostitution in this class.

 The third part comprises those girls who come to join modeling career and in turn are abused by
many people there. Those names aren’t or may not be part of big ramp shows, but they are forced
to act in naked shows the CDS of which are sold abroad at high prices. Once disgraced, they are
mostly abused by the mainstream people there. They are not even exploited by males but some
well known influential females there too. They are forced to take up this profession, being
modeling as their first choice. One such lady shared her story that her family members grew up
on her money.  She brought them up with this money, educated them and fed them. Now after
the siblings have grown up, got degrees from good institutes, they don’t want to keep any contact
with the 45-year old sister. She makes them ashamed now. Were they sleeping when she was
giving them money? What is the gain she received in the end except some transmitted diseases
and shameful old age? Poverty and other factors listed above may apply to this class too.

Apart from discussing it, it is a taboo and moral horror that is more destructive in nature for a
society, as an open secret. Even though the prostitution remains illegal and abhorrence to many
in Pakistan, it is an omnipresent fact of life, but never really agreed. Women part of it are
sympathized and pitied by many but simply no one can help this lot. Despite being social taboo,
the sex trade has been revealed to be on high rise with police and other law enforcement
agencies, by keeping silent and protecting the real culprits. We can discuss it and hold debates on
it, but can’t stop it as the demand and supply is still there. Plus the factors like unemployment,
poverty, easy money, demand & supply, human nature, pimp & ‘madam’ culture, greed and lust
make its eradication more difficult. As long is these forces are there, prostitution can never be
congested.  Even those aren’t born into it, aren’t willing to leave this profession calling pimps as
‘nice’ for them and a source for daily their bread n butter. It still remains a relevant issue for a
society. According to me, it is not only the oldest of professions, but also the oldest form of
abuse and slavery a society can never get rid of.

  Blog for Aaj