Male prostitution in Pakistan

Male prostitution in Pakistan: 

Male and gay prostitution is increasing in Pakistan, though gay prostitution is not a recent phenomenon in the country. British explorer Richard Francis Burton, who visited the Sindh region long before the British conquest, documented a brothel of boy prostitutes in Karachi. Today many areas of large cities in the country have become virtual red-light districts for gay sex.[16] Male prostitutes operate their business in every city and major town in Pakistan.[17] Clients of male prostitutes come from every class, age group and profession.[16] Homosexual men belonging to the upper and middle classes frequently pick up boy prostitutes from video game shops, restaurants and cold-drinks spots. Young male prostitutes generally find customers in places like dark alleys, crowded bus stops, shopping centres, cinemas, hotel lobbies, parks, railway stations, hospitals, school compounds, elevators of public buildings etc. Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Sabzi Mandi, Kharadar, Lea Market, Landhi, Malir, and Lyari in Karachi are places visited by homosexuals from lower income groups. Clients in these areas primarily consist of bus drivers and conductors, night watchmen, labourers from upcountry, policemen, low-income government officials, small-time businesspersons etc.

Male prostitutes in the country generally range from twelve to twenty-five years of age. However, a few prostitutes are in their early thirties and some are as young as nine. Like their clients, male prostitutes have varying ethnic backgrounds. The majority of male prostitutes have little or no education, however some are graduates.[18] An average male prostitute in Pakistan earns approximately 20 to 50, rupees per month. However those who have clients among foreign tourists earn much more.

Many male prostitutes offer services at hotel rooms booked for the purpose instead of the client's residence. This is because while accompanying a client to his residence prostitutes become vulnerable to assault or robbery. Some prostitutes have sex with clients in the back seat of the client's car.[17] There are many part-time prostitutes who are students, salespersons, workers in hotels and garages. They become involved in the profession to earn extra money, and often to get a job in the film industry.[18] Some involved in prostitution often manage to save enough money to go abroad in search of a job.[19] Many boys are frequently used by the police without getting paid. Plainclothes police officers are often involved in the extortion and blackmail of male prostitutes.