Daily Times

Every city or town in Pakistan is famous for one thing or the other. However, for us Lahoris, all arguments cease to matter before our simple motto – “Lahore Lahoreae” (Lahore is Lahore).

Lahore is a major urban and modern metropolitan city in Pakistan. The city is famous for so many tags like Education city, Lifestyle city, Fashion city, Film city as well as Art city with rich heritage. We know that every city has its own personality, mood and demeanour. Lahore in its first glance gives a relaxed, laid back, peaceful look and a place to live in and enjoy your life in variety of ways. The thing that separates Lahore from all the other cities is its food.

In the past, it was pleasant and ideal according to the rules, it was like a wonderland and folks from different cities select Lahore for living and work. But presently, Lahore has changed with the passage of time. Know nothing is according to the set rules all the citizens are acting like Tom, Dick and Harry. Everybody is in a rush and running. They feel that commercial chaos is everywhere. No one seems to know anyone. It was not Lahore.

I love Lahore but on the other side I also hate few things like the “noise”. Lahore is perhaps the only place in the country where your ears can hear several noises and roar of vehicles, stomach-churning Bollywood tunes, Punjabi scratchy tracks which are usually played on “Ching Chi” and last but not the least multi-coloured fights with a hint of melodious colourful abuse. It makes oneself feel mortified while sitting with family or friends. I think there should be a ban on listening music beyond some level of volume.

Secondly, many of Lahore’s prominent buildings are named after non-Muslims but recently there has been a growing effort to “Islamize” the city’s architecture and landmarks, critics of the trend say. These places are losing their significance and their genuine names. Officials try to change their names according to their likes. Which is not good in real sense? In the past, Lawrence garden was given another name which is Bagh-e-Jinnah.  I believe that actual names give more passionate look of Lahore and doing this I hate literally.

As the capital of Punjab, Lahore used to celebrate Basant on the arrival of spring in a colourful manner but this festival is also being stopped by the government.  Lahoris used to celebrate this festival with ease and invite their family and relatives to chill pill but sadly from the last few years this festival is tagged as “unIslamic” festival and one that endangered public morality. Please give this festival back to Lahoris as they are meant for it.

Moreover, the cultural prospect is being changed with the passage of time. One can see informative dramas in Alhamra or in other theatres but on the opposite we can also see stage dramas at Lakshmi chowk named as “MunniBadnaamHui”.  These sorts of stage dramas must be stopped as they are giving a bad image of Lahore and Lahoris.

The real culture of Lahore should be saved, as living history is being destroyed. Partly it is because of the people who so romantically write down their phone numbers and romantic poetry on the walls of historic structures and authorities do not take action against them. I always thought that every Pakistani had equal rights to our collective heritage. Well, some dreams die young!

Most importantly, the men slow down their cars to get better look of a girl walking on the street or standing at a bus stop or offering a ‘lift’, while they drive back home to their wives and children. This is why Lahoris often opt for vigilante justice. People of Lahore especially young fellows and local bus drivers will give a heroic look that they haven’t seen a woman before. It looks weird.

Lahore has too much to eat and see. No matter how much time you have, you always run out of time. The food of Lahore is the thing to eat but one cannot eat all of them. Or worse still, stomach space. But the one trait in Lahoris that impressed me the most is their civic sense. You won’t see them spitting pan or gutka on the roads or elsewhere; you won’t see people littering; they are more conscious of their environment and make an effort to keep it clean and beautiful. I am very good at jokes as my friends and family say.

Last but not the least, the thing I hate about Lahore is that when you are away from this city, then you can actually value it. I really love this city from the core of my heart. There is no comparison to Lahore, (bohat hi bewafashehar hay).

Despite all the worse, Lahore Lahoreae! (Lahore is Lahore).

The writer is a social and political activist based in Lahore. Presently, he is linked with a humanitarian organisation working in Sindh. He can be reached at salmanali088@gmail.com