Daily Times

Whether the decision to become the US ally in war on terror was by choice or out of compulsion, there is no doubt that Pakistan has paid a huge price for this adventure. Its every nook and corner has both imploded and exploded. There was a time we all remember when the sense of insecurity was palpable in almost all provinces. Externally, at the global level, stepping on our part to wipe out terrorism with the US in its war against terrorism earned infamy for Green passport holders to be considered in a cahoots with those who are perpetrating terrorism.

Currently, a sense of normalcy with reference to security can be felt in the wake of successful military operations prompting civilian governments to break an inertia with respect to reforms required for elimination of terrorism in governance which is reflective from the way FATA is being mainstreamed. Somehow, Pakistan is trying to regain what it lost both internally and externally in its blind ventures with superpowers. In an effort to wipe out the tarnished image of Pakistan across the globe because of terrorism, not only security and governance are being focused, but for the last few years, efforts are being made to portray a rich cultural outlook of Pakistan through the renovation of cities and the cultural sites.

The initiative to use Lahore as a launching pad to gain back symbolic identity that Pakistan lost in the wake of terrorism through investing in its transportation in the likes of Metro Bus System and Orange line train and its security, though in latter some lapses were observed.

The government should provide financial support tonon-governmental organisations that have been actively working for education of prostitutes’ children

Moreover, in April 2012, the government of the Punjab passed the Walled City of Lahore Authority Act and declared the Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA) as an autonomous dedicated body to run the functions of the entire waled city. The WCLA, in its portfolio, aims at conservation and renovation of historical sites in Lahore in the likes of the renovation of roads, streets, food stalls, water pipelines, sewerage system and electricity and communication networks in order to make sure that access to Lahore’s heritage is easy for those coming from abroad.

While the development model through which Lahore is being developed to get what Pakistan lost globally and to turn Lahore into a Model city deserves appreciation, there is a catch to it. According to a Pakistani student, the development model through which periphery around Lahore’s cultural heritage which has turned into the red-light district is being renovated is weighing down heavily on a particular lot residing near Lahore cultural sites as they are being shoved from their places under the garb of renovation. Unfortunately, a significant number of people living near Lahore’s rich cultural heritage site is indulged in prostitution. Historically, as per his study of historical accounts of the area, people living in the area near the historical sites used to be esteemed artists of dance and music during Mughal era and most of the time prince and princess of the Kings used to visit these people to learn music and dance.

According to the student, who was exploring the overall discourse behind how the area home to great artists turned into red-light district of Lahore, he met a prostitute who wanted her children to have better opportunities in life. In the beginning, as per the student’s interaction with her, the prostitute could not get help, but through government’s support, she eventually got in touch with two non-governmental groups, Shield Organisation and Akhuwat Organisation. They opened a school for children of prostitutes. So far, these two non-governmental organisations have opened only three schools because of limited funds and are educating children of prostitutes.

In the mainstream society, like prostitutes, their children are seen as outcasts. As per the student, there are, at present, applications of 200 to 250 children of prostitutes, but due to lack of funds, the current schools can’t accommodate them.

Right to education is one of the fundamental rights of every citizen of Pakistan regardless of his/her sex, religion, profession, caste, and any other qualification. According to article 25A of 1973 Constitution of Pakistan, “The State shall provide free and compulsory education to all children of the age of five to sixteen years in such manner as may be determined by law.”

The government should do its job and ensure that members of such communities are given equal rights instead of getting influenced by popular opinion prevalent in the society about those indulged in prostitution.

The government should provide financial support to non-governmental organisations mentioned above that have been actively working for education of the prostitutes’ children.

The writer is an MPhil scholar studying International Relations at Department of Political Science at University of the Punjab, Lahore. He can be reached at uinam39@gmail.com

Published in Daily Times, November 14^th 2017.