Minorities, particularly Christians, are 'deliberately sidelined in Pakistan

Emerging political leader become the most visible guest in the town during the advent celebrations

By Dan Wooding
Founder of ASSIST Ministries

Mr. Albert David speaking
 at a local church

 PAKISTAN (ANS) -- A Pakistani journalist and human rights activist, Shamim Masih, has told the ASSIST News Service that with the advent of December, Christians all over the world kicked off their preparations to celebrate Christmas, the most important festival of the year across the world, including Pakistan.

"With every passing day till the eve of Christmas, Pakistani Christians prepare to celebrate the festivity with zeal and enthusiasm, feeling the echo of church bells for the mid night services on Christmas eve that announce the birth of Jesus," he said.

"While preparing for Christmas, Christians living in Pakistan renewed their spirit of celebrating Christmas which continues throughout the month. The programs leading up to Christmas have included Christmas dinners, carol singing and other get together that have an element of sharing the joys of Christmas with the less fortunate."

Albert David distributed gifts
 among best performers in the
 annual program. Here is Elisha
 Shamim receiving a special gift

Mr. Masih then spoke about Albert David, Chairman of the Pakistan United Christian Movement (PUCM) who launched his new political party in October of this year and he said, "has created awareness in the town during the Christmas celebrations in the twin city."

He went on to say, "His presence added a bloom to the events this year in the maximum annual Christmas programs in the town. Talking to the Christians he raised awareness among the Pakistani Christians to demand election not selection everywhere in the country.

"Mr. David was invited to 25 programs organized by different churches, social organizations and community groups and the PUCM chairman availed himself during this wonderful time to, not only to share the message of Christmas, but also talk about the importance of the Pakistan Christian community to being vibrant and visible in the National political scene.

A group photo at one of the Christmas
 events with Shamim Masih far right

"During his speeches, he focused on the true message and spirit of Christmas, which he said included unconditional love, peace, hope and, most importantly, the sharing of joys with the less fortunate.

"He also stressed that Christians should actively participate in national politics 'to ensure their increased visibility and importance.' He consistently emphasized on the need of unity under a political platform as that 'would become the rationale for other majority parties to acknowledge the importance of non-Muslim Pakistanis.'

"Talking about recent constitutional amendments, Mr. Albert David said that during the past 65 years of the National assembly, the 207 seats for parliamentarians were increased to 335, while the women's seats were raised from 15 to 60."

Mr. David then said, "However, the 10 seats reserved for minorities the seats approved 30 years back, was increased to 14, which is not proportional to its population increased. Even these seats were filled by selection, rather election."

The politician said that his party wants to make people aware that not only Pakistan's government, but also to the entire world that "Pakistani Christians are being deprived of the deserving rights, even though in the foundation of the Pakistan."

He added, "The time has come that all Pakistani Christians have to stand for their rights and we will not compromise on selection of the candidates liking of the majority parties. PUCM firmly believe that being Pakistanis we are equal citizen and will have equal rights."