Look at advertisements of gated communities and you’ll see the promise of not just a home but heaven: a complete privileged, upper-class and secure lifestyle. But while this lifestyle seems ideal, there are larger insidious issues the physical barriers erected by gated communities are creating – both within minds of the people as well as on the social fabric of our cities. With this project “The Walled Street Journal”, Pakistani photojournalist Ema Anis examines the rise of private gated communities in Pakistan and brings to light the neoliberal realities by documenting one of the most allegedly luxurious gated communities – i.e. Bahria Town, Lahore. Bahria Town, despite being notorious in reputation for its architectural horrors and land grab controversies, continues to attract people in hordes. But what is the bitter truth hiding behind the walls of the gated community? “One of the most alarming aspects of neo-liberalism is how it…

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