Summary
Can Development Exist without Destroying Identity (The Future of Lahore- A Wrning from the ghost of Old Lahore) by Alishba Malik
Lahore is the land of diversification and serves as the spinal cord of Pakistan’s economy. It is often known as the city of gardens, as in UNESCO sites, “Lahore Fort attracts international attention, fostering a vibrant service-based economy that employs nearly 42 %of the city’s workforce. The city is also famous for its rich cultural heritage, with landmarks such as the Badshahi Mosque and Shalimar Gardens highlighting its historical significance. Lahore gives identity to the individual, as we often hear that “If you haven’t seen Lahore, you haven’t truly been born.” It is the breath and soul of Pakistan, but for the sake of development and progress, it is being replaced with skytouching buildings, offices, malls, and Markets. It’s not only facilitating the materialistic needs of human beings, but a threat to the future existence of Lahore. Although this materialistic approach boosts economic growth but creates environmental challenges, including soil erosion, degradation, and depletion of the ozone layers which not only affect human beings but all species in Lahore. If we are only concerned with economic gain, then Lahore is on the way to losing its identity Lahore is the angle of moral values, as witnessed by the existence of Pakistan; Lahore has always been a city of resilience and prestige. Lahore is a land with the means of love and happiness, but if we see the future of Lahore, then people’s wealth will be reflected by their personal cars’ air conditioners in their offices, which emit chlorofluorocarbons and create a layer of dangerous gases in the sky. It has faced severe economic, environmental, and political challenge and these challenges will threaten the existence of Lahore. According to Earth. Organization report in March 2022. Lahore is among the 15 most polluted cities in the world. The polluted air and water are not only a threat to Lahore’s health but a red flag for all the species in Lahore. The modern developers of Lahore are on the way to converting the reality of Lahore for development and progress, but as a result, it is getting problematic day by day I died in Lahore, which is the soul of Pakistan, with trees, rivers, and streets full of laughter. The deep root of beliefs and faith. In death, I had faith that this city would outline me. I had never imagined it would forget its existence. As a ghost, I am imagining the future of Lahore where air is a luxury, water as commodity, not a need, and our generation enables itself with Lahore only in the photographs and poetry. It’s the year 2050, and I am wandering along the bright city of Pakistan like a ghost, unseen and unheard, but my heart is burdened with memories. The name of Lahore remains unchanged, but its soul has changed. Miner -e -Pakistan is still in Lahore, but as a picnic point with the loss of its true reality, as though Lahore has been permanently exiled from its own horizon. Lahore, once known for gossip and busy streets filled with people gathering and chatting, is now replaced by people who don’t care about what’s happening around them; they are working for their own benefit. Once, the Ravi shimmered like a mirror, reflecting the memories of children who tossed stones into its waters and eagerly watched the circles bloom. But now, I stand in a dry, cracked landscape where children spend their time on digital media despite the natural beauty of Ravi. Ravi lost its beauty due to loneliness and the lack of people’s attention. Lahore is taller and wider with more buildings and offices, but it’s becoming narrower and smaller in empathy and compassion. Lahore, once illuminated by a blue sky that brightened human eyes, is now hidden behind modern buildings; today, we only see the blue sky in archived images. Breathing has become an act of endurance. I see lines of people standing with empty bottles, but their eyes avoid hope. Lahore is a land of water, where unpredictable flows once arrived, but now it takes a form that rarely meets needs. The city is thirsty, not for water, but for mercy, empathy, and attention. I stand in Lahore and ask myself: Is this the Lahore where freedom, love, and humanity once thrived? If not, it’s not because of war, catastrophe, or collapse; these things start in silence. When trees were cut down for development and rivers darkened, we called it progress. Today, manufacturers and policymakers measure success in concrete and glass, not in the health of the land, soil, air, or water. Lahore’s future can still be protected from being exploited. The Ravi can be revived by giving attention to the natural flow of rain, not the acid rain full of chemical demised the expensive stone of the Badshahi Mosque, and the Red Fort, but the natural rain, which enhances the fertility of land and soil for agricultural development and urban planning, can help prevent Lahore from being overpopulated. All these strategies enable the true transformation of Lahore, where trees are the backbone of the city, public places are points of information and community for empathy and collaboration. As the ghost, I can see the future of Lahore economically and highlight that development is not only related to GDP (gross domestic product) but also to education, health, and dignity. According to the economic survey of Pakistan, Lahore consistently ranks second among Pakistani cities in terms of GDP contribution. According to the economic survey of Pakistan, Lahore consistently ranks second among Pakistani cities in terms of GDP contribution with 11.5% to 13.2% and. The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Lahore frequently exceeds 200–400, and sometimes hits levels above 600–700 during peak winter smog, posing severe, immediate risks to respiratory and cardiovascular health. As Amartya Sen, a philosopher and economist, stated, development is not related to GDP but the average of HDI (human development index), health, and education of the nation. Before partition, Lahore had this population. 1941 Census: The municipality of Lahore had a population of 671,659. The ghost does not ask for mooring, its ask is for sudden, related to the future of Lahore. I am like a ghost burdened with guilt for the Lahore that was replaced. I stand in the heart of Lahore, where people believed the city was eternal and immune to neglect, but we were wrong. Lahore doesn’t perish by explosion; it is exploited by builders and citizens seeking progress. Yet, even now, her spirit resists eradication Our next generation will not be able to describe the reality which exist in the past. We are on the way to consuming future resources. The future of Lahore is at stake. Development and progress on the cost of existence of Lahore are disastrous in any situation. Lahore’s future only depends upon the choices of individuals, which highlights the existence of a generation in Lahore. Choices of small human decisions related to climate, species survivals and clean water. Lahore is the city that gives birth to poets, great thinker and the movement still carries that potential. A child plants a secretive sapling, and an old man sits by the Ravi River, reciting poetry that echoes Lahore’s old identity. These words and memories defy extinction, proving that a city is never entirely lost. its urgent need to listen to the voice of old Lahore, flickering with trees and rivers. Lahore, with environmental, political, and social transformation, can only lead to the success of Pakistan I am not here to haunt you; I am here to warn you. I am the ghost of old Lahore, carrying a piece of what was so that what remains can be saved. If you’re reading this while clean air still fills your lungs and the remaining trees offer a shade of love and empathy, remember it’s not too late. Lahore’s future can be saved by better policies, considering environmental threats and water challenges At last i want to suggest a policy as an economist if government would provide free public transport in big cities of Pakistan like Lahore then it’s can saved the future of Lahore because people will use public transport which emits less fuels consumption in the comparison of personal cars reducing imports of fuels, promoting government revenue and reduce environmental threat to Lahore’s future. In conclusion, Lahore’s future can be saved by considering all the aspects of development and Progress