Voice for Voiceless Christians in Capital Living in Atrocious Conditions

There are numerous examples of Faisal Sakhi Butt's tireless efforts in the field of human rights with a rights based approach.

(ISLAMABAD) - When visited slum settlements of Islamabad, this scribe found that living in those colonies was similar to living in any far-flung areas of Sindh or Balochistan, where basic facilities do not exist. The water supply is limited and technically not feasible to full fill the need of the whole vicinity. The sanitary facilities are next to none; as sewer water can be seen flowing on the main boulevard. Almost all the streets are in a dilapidated condition, while there is no process for maintenance and repair of roads in the area.

I am not blaming anyone, the government or the majority class; rather I must admit frankly there are rifts within the Christian community as well. The affluent ones in our community don’t care for the poor segments just like the overall Pakistani society.

Its permanent solution lies in the hands of the elected political figure of the constituency. If local elected representative takes interest to solve their problems then their living can bring up to the mark.

We (Pakistani Christians) often write the stories of persecution, rape and murder that are more or less daily lot of Christians in Pakistan. But discrimination and oppression takes many less newsworthy forms.

Faisal Sakhi Butt, a Pakistani businessman and politician, who obtained his Business Administration degree from Harper Adams University College, New port, UK. Faisal Sakhi Butt is top rated candidate from Pakistan Peoples Party (a ruling party in the country) for the coming election and contesting for the seat of member of National Assembly from NA-48. Couple of days back when I met Faisal Sakhi Butt I felt he is a strong voice for the weaker sections of the society including laborers, women, children and religious minorities in Islamabad. He works on human rights issues with a rights based approach.

Faisal Sakhi Butt had been the Chairman Prime Minister’s Task Force on Islamabad that encouraged him to speak about the rights of vulnerable people of the society and to enhance his interaction with laborer groups and learned more about their problems. As a Muslim politician raising voice for minorities is not easy, however, he set a great example for highlighting the issues of the Christians of the slums. He always spoke up whenever there were threats to the lives and properties of the minorities’ community.

He planned to bring a revolutionary change in living of slum settlers in the capital, if selected from the said constituency. Votes of these slum settlers for him can bring change in their living. He emphasized the inculcation of hard work in our life that would not only prosper us as individual but the whole country. He strongly spoke out against the violations of women and child rights. He shared the idea to construct the three storey flats for these Christians, thus the provision of the necessities of life ensured. He has also been helping the poor sanitary workers in CDA and had been to their places for the Christmas celebrations this year as well.

There are numerous examples of his tireless efforts in the field of human rights with a rights based approach. He has set up very good examples of resolving issues of workers involving all the stakeholders.

Special Appeal: Faisal Sakhi Butt is a young man with great vision. Your feedback shall further help him to continue this great work despite the challenges especially for the Christians in Islamabad. If you like to know more about him, just send me an e-mail at shamimpakistan@gmail.com and I can send you details.

About Shamim Masih

"I am Christian rights activist and freelancer Pakistani journalist specializing in writing about Christians rights for the different papers in the world. My aim is to create a peaceful environment in the society and to help eliminate Christian persecution through my writing as I bring the plight of these brave people under the spotlight of the whole world."

Shamim Masih was born in Sheikhopura's village and raised in Gujranwala, a city in Pakistan's Punjab province. He earned his Bachelors Degree from the University of the Punjab, Lahore majoring in English, Economics and Statistics; he also received a Masters Degree in Business Administration

As a freelance writer and author, Shamim has written for different papers in the world; his expertise is in writing articles highlighting different social issues. He has served as freelance chief reporter and column writer in “Minority Times” in Islamabad, and a number of Shamim's articles have been published in local papers as well.