Lahore, the cultural heart of Pakistan, is a city defined by its vibrant history, its bustling modernity, and its complex social fabric. Yet, beneath the veneer of progress and tradition, there exist marginalized communities operating in the deep shadows—individuals whose very existence is fraught with peril. Among the most vulnerable are those engaged in escort and sex work services.
Their safety, often viewed as a private, self-inflicted concern, is, in reality, a critical matter of public health, human rights, and civic responsibility. To dismiss the systemic threats faced by these workers is not just morally negligent; it is a perpetuation of a cycle of silence that allows exploitation and violence to flourish unchecked. When we say, “The Safety and Security of Escorts in Lahore is Our Responsibility,” we are asserting a fundamental moral imperative: safety is non-negotiable, regardless of societal judgment or professional status.
The Hidden Architecture of Risk
The dangers faced by individuals in this profession in Lahore are multilayered, combining criminal exploitation with systemic isolation:
1. Physical Violence and Exploitation
The primary threat comes from predatory clients who view these workers as objects devoid of human rights. Robbery, assault, rape, and even murder often go unreported because the victims, fearing legal repercussions themselves, cannot approach law enforcement. Furthermore, many escorts operate under the control of exploitative middlemen (madams or handlers) who withhold earnings, threaten family members, and restrict freedom of movement, placing them in a form of indentured servitude.
2. Legal and Police Harassment
In Pakistan, the legal status of commercial sex work remains highly punitive. This creates a dangerous paradox: the very agency tasked with ensuring public safety is often the source of grave risk. Workers frequently face blackmail, demand for monetary bribes (corruption is rampant), and the threat of arbitrary arrests, which ensures they remain silent victims when genuine crimes are committed against them.
3. Health and Psychological Trauma
The lack of secure working conditions necessitates high-risk behaviors. Without access to non-judgmental healthcare, workers face elevated risks of STIs, chronic physical injuries, and severe mental health crises, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD—all resulting from persistent fear and trauma.
Defining ‘Our’ Responsibility
Who is the “Our” that bears this responsibility? It encompasses everyone from the state apparatus to the ordinary citizen.
1. The Responsibility of the State and Law Enforcement
While the legal landscape may not change overnight, the enforcement of existing laws must be applied fairly.
- Non-Discriminatory Protection: Police must be trained to treat reports of assault, theft, or kidnapping brought forward by sex workers with the same seriousness as any other citizen. The focus must be on protecting the victim, not penalizing the profession.
- Addressing Exploitation Rings: Law enforcement must prioritize dismantling the organized syndicates that traffic and control these individuals, focusing on the perpetrators of violence and exploitation, rather than the victims.
