ISLAMABAD PAKISTAN (ANS) -- For many years now, Pakistani Christians have been passing through hardships in many different situations.

Zulfikar Ali Bhutto

It got worse during the regime of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, who nationalized all the Christian institutions and dragged them out of the main stream, making the constitution in 1973 according to his will.

He butchered the Christians in Rawalpindi near his Punjab house on Aug 30, 1972, captured by force hundreds of Christian school and colleges, confiscated church properties worth billions and registered false, frivolous and fabricated cases against myself and my 44 companions. There are many living witnesses to this crucifixion of the Christians of Pakistan.

However, on March 24, 1979 Bhutto saw the end of his life when he was hanged at Central jail, Rawalpindi, and on April 4, 1979, he was buried in Village Cemetery at Garhi Khuda Baksh.

He was then followed by Gen. Zia-ul-Haq (the dictator) and his follower, Mr. Nawaz Sharif, who continued in his shoes and they allegedly killed many Christians using the discriminatory blasphemy laws 295- B, C and many other black laws that were passed by them. These laws continue today and are hanging over the heads of Pakistani Christians like loaded pistols or naked swords.

A few months back, Ms. Salma Peter John, a human rights activist, asked me to see a man called Albert David and so I agreed and when we met, he was wearing shalwar Qameez (Pakistani dress), and walked briskly towards me. He welcomed me with a smiling face, and seemed really passionate. We had a short introduction session and it soon seemed to me that we had known each other for years.

Albert David speaking

I soon discovered that Albert David had inherited his interest in politics from his father which I learned was well thought out. During our first meeting, he also shared his ideas with me and about his work as a social activist. Mr. David has received international recognition for his cutting edge work on forced marriages and has been conferred with MBE by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth. He was the first Pakistani Christian to have received this honor.

As a social activist his focus has been on child rights, especially the right to education. He has a firm belief that education is the key if Pakistani Christians are to break the vicious cycle of poverty and oppression. Since 2002, Albert David and his team at SUPPORT CHILDREN have been able to support over 4,000 children (directly and indirectly) towards their education. And all of this has been achieved through the financial contribution of local people.

Having developed a good understanding of the issues effecting the development of Pakistani Christians, whether social or political, combined with his exposure to national and international issues, Albert recently has decided to play a role in Pakistani politics. Though very clear about the political issues and the approach to deal with these issues, Albert has been emphasizing on the need and importance of unity among the Christians. During all interactions that I have had with him or the public events where I have had the opportunity to listen him speaking, one thing that has been consistence is his passion for unity amongst Christians.

The conviction in his voice and the body language while he talks about unity clearly shows his determination and dedication for the cause. This is further supported by his communication skills; he knows his audience and delivers the message according to their intellectual needs. I have witnessed him speaking with complete fluency to different groups in English, Urdu, Punjabi and Pothohari.

Albert David pictured in his office

I, along with many other social and political activists, have desperately been looking for someone who could conscientiously lead the Christian community in Pakistan with conviction, determination and above all, love and care.

Albert apparently ticks all these boxes but will have to convince and prove through his actions only then he would be able to muster support for his new political initiative called, Pakistan United Christian Movement (PUCM) that he and his team are about to launch.

PUCM is to be officially launched on November, 10, 2012, and invitations have been extended to all of our Pakistani Christians to join hands under this umbrella and to bring unity to our fractured community.

Albert calls this, “The beginning of a new era, the start of a change”.

May God bless you; Albert David.

Shamim Masih was born in village of Sheikhupora, Pakistan, and passed his Master’s Degree in Business Administration. He has worked in the banking sector for seven years and at the same time has been involved in freelance writing and working for the rights for Christians and other minorities in his country. He can be contacted by e-mail at: shamimpakistan@gmail.com