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The Death of Heera Mandi

Prostitution is regarded as taboo in Pakistan’s muslim-majority society but the practice exists everywhere like an open secret and it has existed for hundreds of years.


Pakistan's oldest red light district - Heera Mandi or Shahi Mohalla - was for centuries a hub of traditional erotic dancers, musicians and prostitutes. They were patronised by the Mughals and the muslim aristocrats. During the Mughal era rule in the 15th and 16th centuries, the wealthy even sent their sons to the salons of tawaifs, high-class courtesans that have been likened to Japanese geishas, to study etiquette.

With the arrival of the British, dance and sex became intertwined, and Heera Mandi began its long downward spiral.


Although most people refer to General Ziaul Haq’s Islamicisation drive for cracking down on prostitution in the Heera Mandi it was actually General Ayub Khan who placed severe restrictions on their  activities.


The General Zia Regime brought the death nail for the mughal era courtesans, bringing with it the economic depression in the area. Now it is safe to say that Heera Mandi is no more... even if a girl is from Heera Mandi she would never reveal it because the client would never risk sexually transmitted diseases and the bad image associated. The intricate mujra dancing that was a foundation of the red light district required years of teaching and live musicians, but now provocative dance moves are the new order of business.


The end result is that prostitution is all over the Lahore. It can be found on the streets of Gulberg and the bungalows in Model Town and Defense. This blog is the account of the transformation of the sex trade from the limited confines of Heera Mandi to a city wide existence, supported by the law-enforcement agencies and enjoyed by the rich and famous!
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