Shamim Masih and Faisal Sakhi Butt
John R. Houk
© January 2, 2013
I just posted a submission from Shamim Masih concerning persecution of Christians in Pakistan. Shamim’s next submission is about the horrendous living conditions of Christians in Pakistan. In the process of explaining the Christian slums of Pakistan he points to Faisal Sakhi Butt as a hero in combating slum conditions.
The thing is Mr. Butt is in a bit of trouble or at least he is a controversial figure in land improvement in Islamabad, Pakistan. Faisal Sakhi Butt was a Chairman of Capital Development Authority (CDA). While Mr. Butt was the Chairman of the CDA the Islamabad organization was accused of corruption (SA Islamabad bar association: Lawyers show solidarity with judge).
Now here’s some speculation. Faisal Sakhi Butt is a Muslim with an authentic heart for poor people in Pakistan. I am guessing that Butt is in the seemingly decreasing secular minded Muslims of Pakistan. Religious Muslims in Pakistan tend to lean toward radical (purist) Islam which translates into Islamic Supremacism and intolerance toward non-Muslims.
Furthermore Mr. Butt’s kindness to Christians would make the intolerant Muslims a bit angry with him; hence the legal issues that are assaulting him. If my speculation is off I am certain Shamim Masih will correct me.
Further Reading
In any case below is Shamim’s submission.
JRH 1/2/12
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Voice for Voiceless Christians in Capital living in atrocious conditions
By Shamim Masih
Sent: December 31, 2012 5:20 AM
Islamabad Pakistan (Shamim Masih): 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 news worthy 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 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.
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Be Blessed,
Shamim Masih
Christian Rights Activist
Freelance Journalist
Freelance Journalist
Secretary General
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Fighting Christian Poverty in Islamabad with F.S. Butt
John R. Houk
© January 2, 2013
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Voice for Voiceless Christians in Capital living in atrocious conditions
© Shamim Masih
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